PEOPLE are being urged to have their say over the future of Yeovil.

Somerset Council is calling on residents, businesses and those with an interest in the town to let them know how they would like it to develop in the future.

A Town Centre Masterplan is being developed, with a consultation launched this week to garner views.
Running until November 2, people can have their say in the consultation and help shape Yeovil for years to come online or at Yeovil Library.

The team will also have a stall at Yeovil Super Saturday on September 20 in St John the Baptist Churchyard, in Church Street, where you can see the Masterplan and share your views.

The council said the first steps in regenerating Yeovil town centre have been taken using money from the government’s Future High Street Fund – with the look and feel of central streets changed to make the area more pedestrian-friendly.

Glovers Walk has also been demolished, leaving the site open to future development.

“The Masterplan pinpoints four potential sites that would kick-start opportunities for Yeovil to become a sustainable, family-friendly town with more town centre housing, a thriving cultural centre and better connected to surrounding towns and villages,” a council spokesperson said.

The team is focused on developing Glovers Walk, the Bus Station and Earle Street car park first, and the consultation asks people to rank the three remaining sites in order of preference for development:

• North Lane and Court Ash car parks
• Glovers Quarter South (former Wilko store)
• South Street, Star Lane and Box Factory car park

Views are also being sought on the importance of affordable housing, green spaces, cycling and walking, public transport, the night-time economy – bars and cinemas – as well as feeling safe and secure.

Councillor Mike Rigby, the council’s lead member for economic development, planning and assets, said: “I would encourage people to have their say by taking part in the consultation.

“This is their chance to help shape the future of Yeovil as a thriving and vibrant town with a strong economy.

“The Masterplan will guide the regeneration of not just the town centre but also the wider urban area.”

It comes after Yeovil Town Council, in a separate move, carried out a poll of residents in its area over increases to council tax rates to fund the regeneration of the Octagon Theatre.

Responses to the consultation will be analysed and the Masterplan updated or amended before councillors consider its formal adoption.

Click here to take part in the consultation over the future of Yeovil

READ MORE: Is Yeovil willing to pay more to bring back the Octagon Theatre?
READ MORE: Yeovil news from your Somerset Leveller