All members of the public, young and old, are being encouraged to help inform proposals for growth in the region that will affect everyone for at least the next generation. People across the West of England are being invited to make further contributions to the development of the West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) and Joint Transport Study (JTS), with a consultation running until 19th December.
The four West of England councils, North Somerset, Bristol City, South Gloucestershire and B&NES, are developing the new plans in response to the need to deliver new homes and improved infrastructure, which will be required if the region is to meet the housing shortfall, continue to create jobs and balance the demand for more development with infrastructure.
It is anticipated that the area could need up to 105,000 new homes between now and 2036. Around 66,000 new homes have already been planned for as part of each council’s existing Core Strategy. The JSP aims to identify where the shortfall of up to 39,000 could be built, in a joined-up and sustainable way.
The JTS presents a ‘transport vision’ for the West of England that includes up to £7.5billion in infrastructure investments over the next twenty years, and it is expected that both new and existing sources of funding will need to be identified to help deliver these plans. The four councils have agreed to work together to prepare the JSP and JTS so that planning can be co-ordinated, although each council will retain responsibility for approving proposals in keeping with local priorities.
In a joint statement, the Leaders of North Somerset Council, Nigel Ashton, South Gloucestershire Council, Matthew Riddle, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Tim Warren and the Mayor of Bristol City Council, Marvin Rees, said: “Across the West of England we need more homes, jobs, schools, and transport infrastructure. However, we face a challenge; trying to provide these facilities and services for our growing population, whilst ensuring our region’s economic
development and the natural environment, which is such an important part of our area’s attraction, is protected and enhanced. We can succeed if we work together in planning jointly to tackle these challenges. This is where you come in.
“No decisions have been made yet, that’s why, as you care about the places you live, we want you to make your voices heard. From November 7th to 19th December, we are inviting your feedback on the emerging Joint Spatial Plan and the Joint Transport Study. Once we have taken a close look at all your feedback, the final plans will be used to help shape each individual authority’s plans.”
Details of the current proposals, illustrations of potentially affected areas, the consultation forms and a short introductory animation about the plans, are available at: www.jointplanningwofe.org.uk. Locally, displays will take place at
Keynsham library, at the Civic Centre, BS31 1FS from 7th – 18th November, Midsomer Norton – the Hollies reception from 21st November until 2nd December and Bath’s One Stop Shop, Lewis House from 5th – 16th December.