Call for Sites - March 2020

Background

Housing and Economic Land Availability

South Somerset District Council is reviewing the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) which will be part of their evidence base used to identify additional sites for housing or employment to meet the District’s future requirements and to inform the five-year supply of deliverable housing land. 

Their  assessment will consider all sites and broad locations capable of delivering five or more dwellings or economic development on sites of 0.25 ha (or 500m2 of floorspace) and above. 

For more detail go to the SSDC website  -  Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA)

Neighbourhood Plan Approach

Whilst submissions to SSDC may also be used to support the preparation of our Neighbourhood Plan the process does not necessarily identify all possible locations. As a result the NP Working Group is inviting residents and landowners in the community the opportunity to offer up potential sites above and below the SSDC threshold of 0.25 ha.

We wish to ensure that no location is overlooked and that all options are considered that may be more in tune with residents wishes of preserving the nature and character of the plan area. 

So do you own some land in the parish?

* Perhaps a garden that is now too large, or

* A green field site, or

* Buildings which could be converted or redeveloped.

Would you like the Neighbourhood Plan to include it to allow some sort of development to take place?

If you do - you should tell us now.

If you are not Sure here are some common Questions and Answers

Q: I have submitted my site to South Somerset District Council – do I need to respond to your call?

A: Yes - the District Council do not have the necessary consents to pass your personal information on, and completing our forms ensures that we have the information we need to assess all sites fairly.

Q: My site is below the SSDC threshold of 0.25ha – does this matter?
A: No - the Neighbourhood Plan will consider all sites regardless of size

Q: I am worried that submitting my site could upset my neighbours – can the submissions remain confidential or should I tell my neighbours?
A: We have to be open and transparent and therefore we will need to publish all the sites that have been submitted at some point.  We will be consulting on sites so there will be an opportunity for your neighbours to point out any concerns they may have about the site and these will be taken into account in the decision making process. 

Q: What happens if I change my mind about developing my site?
A: Suggesting a site does not guarantee that it will be included in the Neighbourhood Plan, or that it would definitely be developed, but it does mean that you would like it to be considered at this point in time.  If you do decide that you no longer wish your site to be considered you can contact the Neighbourhood Plan Group to ask for it to be withdrawn.

What to do Now

If you have such a site register your details by clicking on this link : Call for Sites  before the deadline 

Or contact the Chairman Mike Martin at - michaelvernon390@gmail.com

This " Call for Sites" will close on April 17th, 2020

19th March 2020