Villagers ask 'what's the point in a neighbourhood plan if it's ignored?'
Controversial plans are expected to be approved later for what's dubbed of 'one the prettiest villages in Somerset'
It's a claimed a vote today for new homes - in what's dubbed of 'one the prettiest villages in Somerset' - will form a test case on whether local plans are meaningful.
Campaigners say the controversial scheme for 26 new properties at Wedmore goes against the local plan which residents voted for in 2019 - and the number of new homes set out for the area has already been reached.
Chair of planning at the parish council Isobel Beacom says it's the second time they've had to fight the scheme in 12 weeks, which she says only has 'minor changes'.
She said: "We have a very large and historic conservation area, this is outside the conservation area, but there's three listed buildings within 20 metres and this is spoiling part of our heritage gateway.
"I think there's a lot of frustration and exasperation from not only the parish council but from everybody because we thought this had gone away - we'd fought it well and this wasn't going to happen again.
"In 2019 we set up a neighbourhood Wedmore plan which had nearly 90 per cent of the village participating in, The village is upset and frustrated that they haven't been listened to.
"The whole point was that local people would have a local say. We feel now as a parish council, even if you make an objection as a villager you don't get listened to."
Recent developments have added over 173 new homes to the village in the past five years.
“We’re not against development as such,” said Lindsey Baker, Wedmore’s Parish Clerk, “but we are anxious to protect the village’s cherished rural charm and ancient heritage.
"That’s why in 2019 our community dedicated significant time and effort to compiling a Neighbourhood Plan, which was adopted following a successful referendum.
"This plan was designed to guide the future development, regeneration, and conservation of our parish. It embodies the collective vision and aspirations of our residents.
"The Parish Council objects to application 50/24/21 because it clearly conflicts with this Neighbourhood Plan.
"The site lies outside the Development Boundary and is not part of any strategic allocation in the Sedgemoor Local Plan or the Wedmore Neighbourhood Plan. What’s more, recent housing developments have already exceeded the village’s allocation until 2032."
The planning application, 50/24/00021, can be found here
Yesterday, the new Chancellor Rachel Reeves said there will be major changes to speed up infrastructure projects and unlock private investment - and the Government will make "tough" choices to fix the UK's economy.
She said: "The question is not whether we want growth, but how strong is our resolve?
"How prepared are we to make the hard choices and face down the vested interests?
"How willing, even, to risk short-term political pain to fix Britain's foundations?"
Ms Reeves confirmed:
- The national planning policy framework will be reformed, including restoring mandatory housebuilding targets for local authorities as part of the drive to build 1.5 million homes over five years.
- The "absurd" ban on new onshore wind farms in England has been scrapped and energy projects will be given priority in the planning system.
- A taskforce will "accelerate stalled housing sites", beginning with Liverpool Central Docks, Worcester Parkway, Northstowe and Langley Sutton Coldfield, representing more than 14,000 homes.
- Local authorities will get 300 additional planning officers.
- Next steps on creating a new national wealth fund will be announced shortly.
Labour's housebuilding targets will mean allowing building on some land currently designated as green belt. The Chancellor said environmental concerns cannot be allowed to block all developments.
"We must acknowledge that trade-offs always exist. Any development may have environmental consequences, place pressure on services and rouse voices of local opposition, but we will not succumb to a status quo which responds to the existence of trade-offs by always saying 'no'," she said.
The mission to kick-start economic growth is central to Labour's hopes of funding public services without resorting to tax rises or being forced to slash spending in other areas.
The Chancellor said: "Economic growth is about more than lines on a graph. This is about whether working people feel better off, whether our high streets and town centres are revived, whether there are good jobs paying decent wages in more parts of the country."