Sites which could be developed for future housing in North Somerset have been identified in a new document.

The strategic housing land availability assessment (SHLAA) identifies and records potential sites across the district where there could be additional housing. It is a technical evidence document which we are required to produce and deputy leader and executive member for strategic planning, Cllr Elfan Ap Rees said it was particularly relevant for the forthcoming core strategy examination.

He said: "Our core strategy sets out how we see the area developing up to 2026. Following the welcome news that the Government intends to scrap the regional spatial strategy which would have seen around 27,000 new homes imposed on us, the draft core strategy sets out a housing requirement of 13,400 in North Somerset by 2026.

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"The purpose of the SHLAA is to identify the potential sources of housing supply which could come forward over that period.

"While it lists specific sites it is important to say that the identification of a site does not mean that there is any presumption in favour of any development proposal or that planning permission would be granted if an application was submitted. This simply illustrates the range of opportunities which could be assessed, along with other sites, if additional housing sites are needed as part of the plan-making process in the future."

Potential sites have been explored to assess their suitability for housing in North Somerset and the options available to meet housing growth requirements. These have been identified as part of continuing work to support planning policy and potential allocations of housing land.

Cllr Ap Rees added: "We need to have a comprehensive understanding of potential housing opportunities in the area as it helps demonstrate that emerging planning strategies we are putting together are robust and credible."

(CD)