CONSULTATION closes this week on a proposed neighbourhood plan for Cannington which has been a decade in the making and could help to shape future development in the village.

The parish council is asking for public comments on the plan to be submitted by Friday (December 13) before Somerset Council decides if it is acceptable.

If so, the unitary council will arrange for an independent examination of the plan and organise a public referendum for it to be adopted.

The neighbourhood plan sets out the types of development which would be acceptable in Cannington and where it should be located and would be referred to when planning applications were being decided.

Parish councils which have adopted a neighbourhood plan can also claim a 25 per cent share of any community infrastructure levy (CIL) paid by developers building outside the community’s boundaries, rather than the standard 15 per cent.

CIL money can be used by the parish council to meet the cost of building new, or improving existing, public facilities needed to help cope with increased demand from residents moving into the community.

Preparation of Cannington’s neighbourhood plan began in 2013 when parish councillors asked residents to tell them what they felt was important about living in the village and what they would like to see happen in the future.

People were asked to think about aspects such as housing and possible development, businesses, traffic, services, sports, and community facilities.

A steering group of local residents then volunteered their time to work with parish councillors to develop the Cannington Neighbourhood Plan.

Residents expressed the view that they liked living in Cannington and liked the village atmosphere, the local services such as shops and facilities and green areas.

But they were concerned about housing, speeding traffic, and parking, and feared the village could become too large and would lose its identity.

They did not want any ‘drastic’ changes to the village and expressed concern at a lack of ‘affordable housing’ and worried too much housing development could result in Cannington ‘becoming part of Bridgwater’.

Parish council chairman Cllr Ian Dyer said: “Cannington is a key rural settlement and therefore we have to take our proportion of housing growth.

“However, there are things we can do.

“By producing a neighbourhood plan we can determine where any new development goes and what it looks like.”

The steering group looked at the issues of parking, speeding vehicles, and traffic calming, and passed its findings on to Somerset Council.

Cllr Dyer said: “Unfortunately, we cannot create more parking spaces for existing property but the neighbourhood plan can ensure any new development is designed to include adequate parking.

“We have, however, investigated the current situation and have highlighted areas of concern.

“Cannington Speed Watch continues to be very active and have increased their awareness campaign.”

The neighbourhood plan can be viewed on Somerset Council’s website, or paper copies obtained from the parish council, and comments must be in writing by emailing [email protected] or using the online form here.