Somerset Council has opened the floor to public opinion on a transformative housing strategy that could shape the Mendip area's future. Following a directive from the High Court, the council is set to revisit and refine the allocation of sites for at least 505 new homes.

From today, 28 February, until 12 April 2024, voices across the community are invited to contribute to this vital consultation process. The council is casting a wide net, seeking insights from residents, community groups, local authorities, landowners, promoters, developers, and their agents.

The focus of this consultation is squarely on the former Mendip District, now part of Somerset East, with the council eager to ensure that the revised Local Plan Part II is both responsive to community input and compliant with legal and environmental standards.

Interested individuals can access the consultation and relevant documents online at the Somerset Council's dedicated consultation portal or through the Mendip Local Plan Part II section on the Somerset Council website. For those preferring physical copies, documents are available at the Shape Mendip offices in Shepton Mallet and other Customer Access Points across Somerset.

The council also plans to conduct online briefings in March and April to further engage with the community and stakeholders. Dates and details for these sessions will be announced on the Somerset Council website.