THE next stage of the Ilminster Neighbourhood Plan (INP) is scheduled to start later this month, which will see the plan proposal and other details shared for consultation. 

The neighbourhood plan is described by the town council as an “opportunity to influence and determine the future development of the parish of Ilminster”.

It is being led by the INP Development Group consisting of residents, businesses, and town councillors.

The INP was approved by the town council in March last year and published in June.

It has four key themes: Environment and leisure; economy, tourism, and heritage; access and movement, and homes and places for living. 

The plan includes a focus on planting new trees and plans to introduce an Environmental Enterprise Zone and improve transport infrastructure. 

Residents were previously invited to have their say on the plan at workshops hosted in 2019 and after it was published. 

Now, South Somerset District Council (SSDC) has informed Ilminster Town Council that the next phase of the scheme will begin on Thursday, May 19.

This will involve further consultation under regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations.  

The consultation period will end at midnight on July 8, 2022.

A spokesperson for Ilminster Town Council said: “SSDC are required to bring the proposal to the attention of people who live, work, or carry out business in the neighbourhood area.

“Details of how to make representations will be made available.

“Anyone making a representation may include a request to be notified of the local planning authority’s decision under regulation 19 in relation to the Neighbourhood Development Plan.”

The submitted documents will be available to view on the SSDC website.

Hard copies will be available for public viewing at the SSDC offices in Petters Way, Yeovil; the Ilminster Town Council offices, and Ilminster Library during their usual opening times.

Comments made during the consultation will be received and considered by an independent inspector after the July 8 deadline.