The Planning and Transport Policy Sub-Committee are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 8 October 2025. The agenda includes discussion of the Ilminster Neighbourhood Plan, a six-monthly update on the Local Plan, and questions raised by members of the public.

Local Plan Update

The committee is scheduled to review the Local Plan six-monthly update report. The Local Plan is of enormous concern to some residents, including Mr Colin Fisher, Chair of Stoke St Mary Parish Council, who is scheduled to ask the committee to ensure that the new plan:

• Is open to informed scrutiny through a consultation with all parishes
• Needs a commitment to incorporate the results of that consultation to make the plan place-led, not developer-led
• Provides early access to the output of the recent call for sites, after officers have done the analysis but before anything is finalised so that they can be set against the needs of each parish.

Mr Fisher is scheduled to speak on behalf of multiple parish councils including Cheddar, Queen Camel, and Wedmore.

Ilminster Neighbourhood Plan

The Planning and Transport Policy Sub-Committee are scheduled to discuss the making of the Ilminster Neighbourhood Plan. Neighbourhood Plans are a way for communities to shape development in their local area¹.

Public Questions

The committee is scheduled to hear questions from members of the public.

Isobel Beacom is scheduled to speak about the importance of Neighbourhood Plans, particularly for rural parishes like Wedmore, and express concerns that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill may undermine them. She is scheduled to say:

Our Neighbourhood Plans – is the Local Safeguard Neighbourhood Plans are the only real mechanism rural communities like ours have to shape development.

Ms Beacom is also scheduled to raise concerns about Spatial Development Strategies being set at a regional scale, greater delegation to officers, and National Development Management Policies overriding local plans.

Mr Allan Kerry is scheduled to ask for advice on behalf of Abbas and Templecombe Parish Council regarding Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding. He is scheduled to explain that the parish council is seeking funding for a project to add a 400m all weather track, a new Multi Use Games Area and an Adult Outdoor Gym. He is scheduled to say that the project has the support of Sarah Dyke MP, Councillor Hayward Burt and Councillor Nicola Clark. He is scheduled to ask how the council can engage with the Community Infrastructure Levy Spending Priorities Committee to obtain funding for the project. According to Mr Kerry's question, Kate Murdoch has previously said that this committee provides a report to the Planning and Transport Sub Committee for information/approval.

Harriet Chappell is also scheduled to make a statement.