Residents are invited to have their say on development plans to help shape the future of Bath and North East Somerset over the next twenty years.

Five public events are taking place, starting this week and running until December 11th, giving people the chance to review and comment on the Local Plan 2016–2036. Comments can be made on the plan up to 10th January 2018.

The plan covers the key priorities for Bath and North East Somerset’s strategic development sites at Whitchurch and North Keynsham, strategy for smaller development sites and how university growth and student accommodation should be managed.

Officers from Bath and North East Somerset Council will be on hand to talk about the Local Plan at each consultation event.

The events are taking place from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. at United Reform Church Hall, Whitchurch, on November 30th; Civic Centre, Keynsham December 4th; and the Brunswick Room, Guildhall, Bath, on December 8th and 11th.

Cllr Bob Goodman (Conservative, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods said: “We want people to come along to their nearest consultation and find out about both plans, which will determine future developments across not just Bath and North East Somerset but the wider region too. Your views will help inform the next stages of the plan.”

Bath and North East Somerset Council’s new Local Plan works alongside the West of England’s Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) which addresses the region’s severe shortage of housing, the need to generate jobs and the provision of critical infrastructure.

The JSP has been published as a draft plan and is now subject to formal consultation. The Local Plan is at an earlier options stage, which seeks to encourage discussion and comment on key issues and alternative approaches.

Find out more about the Local Plan and have your say at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/LocalPlan and for the West of England Joint Spatial Plan go to: www.jointplanningwofe.org.uk to see the plan and comment on it.

The documents can also be viewed at the following locations during opening hours: The One Stop Shop, Bath, The Hollies, Midsomer Norton, Civic Centre One Stop Shop, Keynsham; and at all public libraries in the district, including the mobile libraries at the drop-in sessions.