A FINAL consultation on the B&NES draft Local Plan has begun with local councillors keen for residents to have their say on where houses should be built locally.

Local stakeholders are being invited by B&NES to take part in the final six-week consultation on the council’s plan before it is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.

Radstock Town councillor Simon De Beer has expressed his concern at the plan which he says has shocked residents by “resurrecting a housing site it refused only a month ago.”

He said: “Following the refusal last month of planning permission for 14 houses at Haydon near Radstock because the site is highly unsuitable for development, B&NES Council is now proposing the very same site to be developed for 140 houses in its draft Local Plan.

“This odd proposal concerned many residents and so there was a good turnout of local people at the Guildhall to object to B&NES’ proposal and dissuade the B&NES Cabinet of agreeing to the draft plan with the site included.

“However B&NES went ahead this week and agreed the plan for consultation.”

B&NES ward councillor for Radstock Lesley Mansell also stressed the importance of residents taking part in the public consultation.

She said: “Radstock deserves a fair say in how future development is planned. We have real constraints and longstanding infrastructure gaps, and it’s important that any growth is properly supported and respects the character of our town.

“I urge residents to take part in the consultation to ensure your voices are heard.”

The plan, if approved, will help shape where new homes, jobs and infrastructure are delivered up to 2043 and will play a key part in meeting the area's growing need for housing.

The draft plan has been shaped by feedback received during previous consultation stages - this final consultation is an opportunity for people to comment on whether the draft is legally compliant and ‘sound’, says the council.

Every response received will be submitted directly to the Planning Inspectorate alongside the Draft Local Plan.

Cabinet member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, Cllr Matt McCabe, said: “Residents, businesses, community groups, developers, landowners and other organisations all have an important role to play in shaping the future of Bath and North East Somerset.

“We want to hear from everyone with an interest in how our area grows and develops in the years ahead, but it’s important that people understand this consultation is different from previous stages.

“Earlier consultations helped us develop the Draft Local Plan whereas this stage is asking people to review the plan we've produced and comment on whether it is supported by the evidence and has been prepared properly, before it is independently examined.”

Leader of the B&NES Council, Cllr Kevin Guy, added: “It is about striking the right balance between meeting housing needs, protecting what makes Bath and North East Somerset special, and ensuring development is sustainable and supported by the services residents rightly expect.”

The consultation runs until 30 October.