LibDems push back against unachievable Tory housing targets
At Wednesday's meeting of the NSC Executive, LibDem Councillors won support for a plan to push back on the Tory Government's unachievable housing target. Our amendment reflects what we've heard loud and clear from local communities about the need to protect the green belt and other sensitive sites.
LibDems managed to pass an amendment that:
1. refers this report to the Place Policy & Scrutiny Panel to seek further input, if possible by 30 September 2022, and
2. requests that officers proceed to develop a revised Local Plan that recognises the constrained nature of North Somerset and identifies an appropriate scale and location of development to offer greater protection to the Green Belt and other sensitive sites, and seek legal advice including advice on implications for the Local Plan timetable and anticipated national reforms, further evidence gathering, potentially including further consultation, in order to prepare the strongest possible pre-submission draft plan, and
3. requests a further report to inform Executive on the Policy & Scrutiny input and officers advice and progress.
LibDem Group Leader Mike Bell said:
"I'm pleased that a compromise recommendation has been approved to look at options. It is critical that we work now on a different local plan that recognises the exceptional constraints in North Somerset."
We now look to the new government to bring forward long promised reforms to give back local communities the power to set housing numbers and locations.