APRIL 2019

SEDGEMOOR DISTRICT COUNCIL

Mark and Wedmore Ward

Polly Costello - polly.costello@sedgemoor.gov.uk   01934 713564

Will Human - will.human@sedgemoor.gov.uk   01278 641795

At this month's Full Council Meeting, Will Human spoke of his concerns with some of the clauses inserted into the new Neighbourhood Plan for Sedgemoor regarding community consultation.  Sedgemoor had it as part of the policy for lower tier settlements that the community must be consulted and returned a positive view on any new development areas, especially in green field locations.  However, the Inspectorate wanted this removed from the plan as it was in contradiction to the Government ethos of needing to make affordable housing easier to build.  The District Council softened the policy so that it was a requirement to seek community opinion but not make it a deciding factor.

Will made his view known at the Council that he was not able to support the document as he believed that the community should be heard and have more of an impact on the planning decision.  He thought it weakened the ability of a community who didn't want to have houses forced upon them in the rural areas.  He abstained on the vote along with Paul Herbert who had similar concerns but the plan was adopted with all other Councillors voting for it.