SUPPORTING the many communities in Bath and North East Somerset to thrive is in all our interests. This autumn, we are seeking your views on how you want your community to develop over the next 15 to 20 years.

Options being put forward include bringing housing, transport, business space, infrastructure and public spaces together to shape better places and create more jobs for the future.

Last year B&NES Council consulted on our earlier ambitious target of 14,000 new homes over 20 years. The council has reset its Local Plan Options Report after the government almost doubled the target to 27,000 over 18 years.

While this is a major challenge for us, it is also a once-in-a-generation opportunity to chart a course of positive development for our district.

The housing affordability crisis not only affects people’s quality of life; it impacts our local economy. My ambition is to see the right homes in the right places, with good transport options and sustainable growth leading to the creation of more and better jobs.

Having a Local Plan enables the council to coordinate the delivery of high-quality development and infrastructure, protecting what makes B&NES special. Without a Local Plan, we risk speculative development in less sustainable areas, in an unplanned way, without adequate infrastructure.

The Local Plan Options consultation must test all ‘reasonable alternatives’ for potential development. For this reason, potential sites which may not be suitable are included. That’s why we need your local knowledge to inform the consultation. You need to let us know whether you think a potential site is suitable or not, and why.

Taking part in the Local Plan Options public consultation ensures that your voice is heard. The consultation runs to Friday, November 14. You can share your views in a range of ways, for example in-person at pop-up events, briefings, conversations and online. For the latest information on the consultation and how to take part, visit bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan

Meanwhile, B&NES Council and Midsomer Norton Town Council have jointly launched a public consultation on the IMAGINE Midsomer Norton Town Centre Masterplan, a bold vision identifying projects to improve the heart of the town.

The masterplan centres around the former Midsomer Norton Brewery buildings and the surrounding retail area and includes town’s main car parks on South Road and to the rear of Sainsbury’s supermarket.

The masterplan’s projects include the restoration and reuse of historic buildings, including bringing the former Bob’s Palais and the Old Gas Works sites back into use. Other proposals include improved public spaces and pedestrian connections and new homes and business spaces in the town centre.

The masterplan builds on ideas put forward by landowners, local businesses and the community over the past year – including the Shape Your High Street arts weekend in which 1,000 residents took part.

This consultation runs until Thursday, October 30. Please take the opportunity to help shape your town’s future. Visit bathnesplaces.co.uk/regen/index.php?contentid=11 to find out how to take part in the consultation.