Shepton Mallet residents now have the chance to shape the town's future as the long-awaited Neighbourhood Plan is submitted for public consultation.

The plan, crafted with significant community input, provides a vision for local development, helping to ensure that future building and infrastructure projects align with Shepton Mallet's unique character and needs.

Shepton Mallet Town Council has formally submitted the Neighbourhood Plan to Somerset Council for examination, with a six-week public consultation running from Friday, 25 October 2024, to Friday, 6 December 2024. This is a key opportunity for residents, businesses, and stakeholders to review the plan, provide input, and ensure their voices are heard on issues that will impact the town for years to come.

A Neighbourhood Plan allows local people to take control of development priorities in their area, offering a say in what gets built, where, and how. Once approved, the plan will become part of the statutory development framework, meaning that future planning decisions must take its policies into account. For Shepton Mallet, this means influencing everything from housing and green spaces to transport and business development—critical components for maintaining the town's identity and fostering sustainable growth.

Following the consultation, feedback will be passed to an independent examiner, who will assess whether the plan meets legal and regulatory standards. If the plan clears this stage, it will proceed to a community referendum, giving residents the final say on its adoption.

The full plan is available to view online, and residents can contact the planning policy team by email at [email protected] or by phone at 0300 123 2224.