THE long-awaited Ilminster Neighbourhood Plan (INP) has been published this week.

The document is a community-led plan which will guide future development, regeneration and conservation within the the town until 2036.

It focuses on four key themes:

  • Environment and leisure

This includes a focus on planting new trees, preserving views, green open spaces, cycling and walking routes as well as new recreation facilities adjacent to Canal Way.

  • Economy, tourism and heritage

This includes an Environmental Enterprise Zone and promotion of improvements to historic buildings.

  • Access and movement

This includes improvements to pavements, cycle paths, bus stops and parking, six road junctions for improvement, and road/pavement improvements.

  • Homes and places for living

This includes 14 sites allocated for new homes, with a mix of housing types.

The INP boundary was designated by South Somerset District Council (SSDC) on June 1 2017, and in January 2019, the INP Development Group was established as a sub-committee to lead the preparation of the plan.

Residents were invited to have their say on the plan during various workshops hosted in 2019.

Now, the plan has been published, residents can have their say on it and the plan will be reviewed in light of the comments received.

The INP will then be submitted to SSDC for approval, and then there will be a referendum in Ilminster to determine whether the plan is adopted.

Cllr Stuart Shepherd, chairman of the INP development group, said: “This plan provides our community with an opportunity to influence and determine future development in the town.

“We look forward to receiving feedback from everyone who lives, works or has interest in Ilminster, and hope that they will complete the questionnaire.”

The consultation period runs from Saturday, June 26, until Monday, August 9.

You can view the plan online (www.ilminster.gov.uk) and at Ilminster Library on Tuesday (9.30am until 4.30pm), Wednesday (9.30am until 12pm) and Friday (9.30am until 4.30).

There will also be a range of open days and events including:

  • Ilminster Experience (IMEx) - June 26 and 27, Silver Street and Recreation Ground
  • Town Council Office - July 10, 11am until 3pm
  • INP presentation with Q & A's - June 30, 6pm until 8pm, Shrubbery Hotel, Station Road
  • Market House Ilminster - July 24, 11am until 3pm