Rural council boosts planning team to tackle housing demand

A rural local authority is redoubling its efforts to tackle housing demand across more than 100 towns and villages.

Mendip District Council principal planning policy officer Ian Bowen told Planning: “There is great pressure for housing development.

“But it's a sensitive issue and we have to take the public with us on identifying sites and putting flesh on the bones of a strategy recently adopted.”

Part one of the council's local plan sets out the vision and strategy for growth across five market towns and a network of more than 100 villages. A part two plan on policy is being drawn up.

Mendip District Council is seeking to recruit a planning policy officer. Bowen said the postholder would help devise consultation strategies and liaise with the public.

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