PEOPLE are being urged to have their say over possible sites for at least 505 new homes in Mendip.

Somerset Council has launched a formal consultation to review and reconsider housing sites following a High Court Order to make amendments to the Mendip Local Plan Part 2 (LPP2).

Local plans form a basis for deciding where new housing and employment developments will be built and includes sites in Frome, Street, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet and Wells.

Among the sites up for consultation are allotments off the A39 and Lowerside Lane in Glastonbury, and the creation of a “permanent and regularised site for Travellers” at the former Moorlands factory.

On the Lowerside allotments location, the plan said: “This site could deliver housing in a logical extension to the adjoining large site which already has planning permission and could potentially offer additional options for access.

“However, it would result in the loss of well-used and mature allotment land. Ordinarily, allocations affecting designated recreation spaces would not be acceptable, but the constraints around Glastonbury are so significant that this site is one of few viable options to provide for the housing needs of the town.

“Alternative provision will be made to ensure the loss of allotments is mitigated.”

And on the Morlands traveller site proposal, it added: “This location would not normally be considered appropriate for residential use.

“However, the council will seek to bring forward a permanent and regularised site for Travellers within the
allocated area identified.

“This is justified on the basis of the urgent need for Traveller pitches in Mendip District and specifically around Glastonbury.

“The Council cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of Traveller sites and LPP1 Policy DP15 identifies a need for
around 140 residential pitches over the plan period 2006-2029 – based on the 2013 Gypsy and
Traveller accommodation assessment (GTAA).

“31 pitches on individual private sites have been provided to 2019 against the shortfall in the GTAA.

“While the GTAA is to be updated, there remains a shortfall to be addressed and no alternative sites have been identified through this or other plans to date. Occupiers of the Travellers site should meet the definition in national policy.”

The consultation will run until April 12 and the council is keen to hear from as many people as possible – residents, community groups, city, town and parish councils, landowners and promotors as well as developers and their agents.

As the council is making changes to a development plan, proposed sites are subject to formal consultation before submission for public examination.

The consultation can be found at https://somersetcouncil.citizenspace.com/planning/mendip-local-plan-part-ii-limited-update-reg-18.

All consultation documents can be found online at https://www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land/adopted-local-plans/?district=Mendip.

Paper copies of the documents will also be available to view at the Shape Mendip offices in Shepton Mallet.

The council will also hold online briefings in March and April.