POTENTIAL sites for more than 24,000 new homes in North Somerset have been revealed – including 3,300 properties near Banwell and 3,700 around Nailsea and Backwell.

Suggested development sites for 24,010 homes, as well as around 70 hecatres of new employment sites in the district, will be considered by North Somerset Council’s Cabinet on June 18.

Previously, the council’s Local Plan allocated sites for 15,275 new homes – but an increase in government targets means the sites are now being re-evaluated.

Sites put forward include a small number of additional homes at Portishead, Weston-super-Mare and the wider Weston area, including Hutton and Locking, as well as four strategic growth locations are proposed to deliver new homes and employment.

They are:
• Wolvershill, north of Banwell (3,300 dwellings)
• a new development near South-West Bristol (referred to as Woodspring) with a capacity of 3,730 new dwellings
• around 3,700 new dwellings on sites in and around Nailsea and Backwell.
• Pill and Easton-in-Gordano – five new sites amounting to a total capacity of 1,100 new dwellings.

If the Cabinet approves the recommendations, officers will move forward in producing a full updated pre-submission (Regulation 19) Local Plan, to be presented in September before being submitted to the planning inspectorate for independent examination.

As well as the new homes and employment developments, infrastructure such as roads, employment, schools, medical facilities and public transport will also be considered.

Work began on the new North Somerset Local Plan in 2020, and various rounds of consultation were held – with the latest in February and March seeking views on potential new housing developments.

Cllr Annemieke Waite, cabinet member for planning and environment, said: “We always have a fine balancing act ensuring communities have enough good quality housing to meet local need while making sure our beautiful countryside and landscapes are protected.

“There is no doubt that this Local Plan will have a significant effect on communities living and working in the whole council area.

“I’m really pleased so many residents stepped forward to have their say during our latest round of consultation. Thank you. The majority of responses agreed with our strategy to identify most new development in towns, strategic locations and larger villages. This will really help address current and future housing needs while also ensuring our communities are sustainable places with good employment and transport links.”