Case for Balanced Population 2006 – 2026

SSDC reduced number of houses from 19,700 to 16,600 but retained previous government’s requirement for an Urban Extension but reduced to 3,700 houses.

SSDC Core Strategy is to locate 93% (15,400) of all housing development and most future employment development in the main settlements but only 7% (1200) of housing for the remaining 100+ rural settlements.

SSDC proposes that South Petherton will have no further development beyond that planned (145 homes) until 2026 and Stoke Sub Hamdon to have a total of just 55 homes up until 2026.

SSDC proposes Yeovil and Chard will take the brunt of development with Yeovil (and East Coker/ Barwick taking 8,200 homes (49.4%) with East Coker/Barwick area having 3,700 (22.2%).

SSDC has a policy of focussing development in Yeovil and creating an Urban Extension. The Town and Country Planning Association and the Rural Coalition express concerns over inappropriate urban extensions that impact on the countryside and rural communities adjacent to urban areas, as well as increasing the distance to the countryside for inhabitants of the town. They support proportional development in rural settlements to meet the needs of the communities attract young families and enhance sustainability. SSDC DOES NOT HAVE A VIABLE STRATEGY to provide sustainable communities in the majority of villages.

By increasing housing density in the planned key sites to 50+ per hectare (Eco Standard) and allowing managed sustainable growth (windfall) throughout the rural settlements there would be no requirement for an urban extension.