Neighbourhood Development Plan - Aims and Objectives Consultation

  • Neighbourhood Development Plan

    Aims and Objectives Consultation

  • Taunton Town Council is preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan for the Taunton parished area. Once adopted, the plan will become part of the planning framework used by Somerset Council when deciding planning applications, helping to give local views greater weight in decisions about future development.

    This consultation asks for your views on the draft aims and objectives for the plan. These set out what the plan should try to achieve and the issues it should focus on, including climate change, health and wellbeing, green spaces, heritage, the town centre, neighbourhoods, community facilities, housing, transport and the local economy.

    A neighbourhood plan cannot deal with every issue affecting the town, and it cannot simply stop all development. Its role is to guide land-use planning and help make sure future development respects Taunton’s character, environment and community needs.

    Your feedback will help shape the next stage of the plan before a full draft is prepared for further consultation. We want to hear what you support, what you would change, and whether anything important is missing.

  • For more details, watch the video:

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  • Aim: A Changing Climate

    Respond positively and proactively to the challenges posed by a changing climate by supporting measures which improve the environment, mitigate the impact of a changing climate, enable adaptation and improve resilience.

  • Should climate change be a "golden thread" (A golden thread is the clear connection that ties all parts of a project or strategy back to the main aim, so people can see why each bit matters) considered across the whole plan, not just in one section?

  • Aim: Health and Wellbeing

    Support the continuing improvement of physical and mental health and wellbeing of those living and working in Taunton.

  • Should health and wellbeing be "golden thread" (A golden thread is the clear connection that ties all parts of a project or strategy back to the main aim, so people can see why each bit matters.) considered across the whole plan, not just in one section?

  • Theme: A Greener Town: Transforming Our Open Spaces and Streets


    This section focuses on Taunton’s green spaces, parks, natural areas, rivers and other environmental assets. It asks which places people think should be protected and how these spaces could be improved for nature, climate resilience, recreation and everyday wellbeing.

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  • Topic: Natural Environment, Semi-natural Environment and Greenspace

     Aim

    Objective
    1 - Protect, enhance and grow Taunton’s green and blue infrastructure, its uses, function, and vital roles in supporting ecosystems and people   
    1. Protect and enhance the natural and semi-natural environments for the benefit of biodiversity, ecology and habitats and the community which uses them, specifically:

      i. Wetlands / meadowlands, rivers, canal, ponds and streams for the critical role they play as corridors for wildlife, storage areas for flooding and leisure activities.

      ii. Woodland, copse, hedgerows, orchards and trees for the roles they play in supporting wildlife and habitats, reducing pollution and shading from heat in the summer months and supporting health and wellbeing.

      iii. Parks, leisure and recreation greenspace for the role they have in supporting play, leisure and recreation activities, health and wellbeing.

      iv. Distinct landscape features within and which form the context and setting of the town, including the skyline.

    2. Support proposals which better link green and blue infrastructure for wildlife and people and bring forward additional new areas of public greenspace.
    3. Protect the current allotment stock and encourage new sites to be established and used for environmentally friendly community food production.
    4. Reduce the risk of wastewater damaging water quality.
    5. Support the control of phosphates to seek to achieve nutrient neutrality and reduce the discharge of phosphates into the river network.
    6. Protect the built environment and future development of all types from flood risk by managing surface water and fluvial flood risk through the use and management of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and by supporting other measures which mitigate and help control the impact of flood risk.

     

  • Do you agree with aim 1 and its objectives?


  • Theme: A High-Quality Place to Live

     

    This section looks at what makes Taunton a high-quality place to live, including its buildings, historic streets, town centre, neighbourhoods, public spaces, community facilities, arts, culture, leisure and housing. We want to hear what you think should be protected, what needs to improve, and how new development can be well-designed, accessible, sustainable and sensitive to local character.

    Your feedback will help shape how the Neighbourhood Plan supports a vibrant town centre, stronger neighbourhoods, better community facilities, more opportunities for sport, leisure and culture, and the right mix of homes for local people. The questions also cover empty buildings, brownfield sites, public toilets, renewable energy, low-carbon development and the future use of disused shops and offices.

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  • Topic: Built Environment, Heritage and Historic Environment

    Aims

    Objectives

    2 - Protect and enhance the character, quality and accessibility of the built (urban) and historic environment

    3 - Encourage new development to meet net zero carbon targets
    1. Protect local and national heritage assets and streetscapes of importance and improvements to their quality where needed to ensure historic character is maintained.
    2. Promote well-designed, sustainable and accessible development which enhances wayfinding and ease of access for all (including people who have dementia or are neuro-diverse).
    3. Support contemporary design of a scale and in quality of materials that harmonise with its setting and responds positively to the challenges of climate change.
    4. Support and promote the redevelopment, conversion re-use or alternative uses of previously used (brownfield) sites and empty buildings.
    4 - Protect and enhance the urban public realm and civic spaces
    1. Protect, maintain and enhance the use and quality of the public realm and civic spaces, making them welcoming, accessible spaces and places.
    5 - Encourage renewable and low carbon energy initiatives
    1. Support small scale householder and community low carbon and renewable energy initiatives and developments to help reduce carbon emissions, secure energy supply and reduce costs paid for energy.
    2. Explore opportunities to generate solar photo-voltaic power on surface level car parks.
  • Do you agree with these aims (2-5) and objectives?
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  • Topic: Town Centre

    Aims

    Objectives
    6 - Maintain and enhance the role of the town centre with a vibrant mix of services, shops, facilities, leisure opportunities and housing which contributes to the local and wider economy and to Taunton’s sense of place / locals’ pride of place
    1. Support development and environmental improvements which sustain and enhance a town centre with retail, leisure, culture and the arts at its heart, supporting mixed-use development in the town centre to meet the identified housing needs of the community.
    2. Promote vibrant daytime and evening events, festivals and activities to enhance town centre vitality and viability and support the growth of visitor, arts and cultural activity.
    3. Support the clustering of independent businesses and similar town centre uses in “quarters” (or areas of the town) to provide distinction of offer and to retain these and other areas as “anchor” areas for town centre activities and uses.
    4. Support the positive use on the upper floors of shops and commercial premises, for residential, offices and services.
    5. Support windfall town centre development for dwellings where it supports the overall vitality and viability of town centre uses, contributes to the overall vitality of the town and/or brings into use a building or site that would otherwise remain unused.
    6. Facilitate and support the availability and quality of public conveniences and accessible changing places within with town.
  • Do you agree with aim 6 and its objectives?

  • What three things do you like most about the town centre and want to protect?

  • What three things do you most want to improve or change in the town centre?

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  • Topic: Neighbourhoods and Neighbourhood Centres

    Aims

    Objectives
    7 - Protect, maintain and enhance the role of neighbourhoods and their local centres which support their community’s close access to services, shops, facilities and shared spaces

    1. Protect and enhance existing local services, shops and facilities from loss to retain and improve the sustainability and community life of neighbourhoods.

    2. Support proposals which strengthen communities, help to reduce levels of social and economic deprivation and improve the character and design of neighbourhoods and their centres.
  • Do you agree with aim 7 and its objectives?

  • What three things do you like most about the area where you live or work?

  • What three things would you most like to improve or change in the area where you live or work?

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  • Topic: Community facilities, leisure, sport, recreation, arts and culture

    Aims

    Objectives
    8 - Support health and wellbeing through active lifestyles, protecting and enhancing provision for play, sport, leisure, recreation, social activities, education, food growing, arts and culture.

    1. Protect, maintain and enhance community facilities, play areas and sports facilities, courts and pitches, supporting proposals which encourage healthy lifestyles, and deliver additional accessible and affordable facilities and spaces for community use.

    2. Support the provision of accessible spaces for live performance, art and cultural activities.

    3. Protect and enhance key access points and slipways into the river and canal and realise their potential in supporting a high quality and clean environment for events, shopping, leisure, work and housing.
  • Do you agree with aim 8 and its objectives?
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  • Topic: Housing

    Aims

    Objectives
    9 - Support housing provision which maintains a vibrant and balanced community, addresses local housing needs and provides a high-quality environment.

    1. Ensure new housing development addresses identified local needs and local affordability issues across dwelling type, tenure and size, contributing to the creation of diverse yet cohesive neighbourhoods.

    2. Promote housing design and layout that reflects the best of local character and distinctiveness, using local materials in a sustainable manner.

    3. Support the use of community land trusts and other community housing schemes to achieve affordable, sustainable and high-quality housing design for the benefit of local people.
  • Do you agree with aim 9 and its objectives?
  • What types of homes does Taunton need?
  • What sizes of homes does Taunton need?
  • What kinds of housing ownership or rental options does Taunton need most?
  • Where planning permission is needed, do you support turning empty shops or offices into homes?

  • Theme: Moving Around: Cleaner, Safer, Smarter, Easier

     

    This section looks at how people move around Taunton and how the town can become safer, easier and more accessible for everyone. We want your views on improvements for walking, cycling, mobility vehicles, public transport, parking, electric vehicle infrastructure, and the main routes into the town.

    Your feedback will help shape how the Neighbourhood Plan supports better connections to schools, workplaces, shops, services, green spaces, transport hubs and neighbourhood centres. The questions also cover road journeys by bus, car, motorcycle, lorry or van, as well as the infrastructure needed to support better online connectivity.

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  • Topic: Transport, access and connectivity

    Aims

    Objectives
    10 - Support, improve and promote safe routes for pedestrians, cycles and mobility vehicles and facilitate greater use of sustainable and active transport options.

    1. Support projects which enhance safe and easy pedestrian, bicycle (active travel) and mobility vehicle access to key destinations including workplaces, schools and colleges, shops, facilities, health services, transport hubs and public greenspaces.

    2. Support improvements to the public transport network, stations and hubs and improve accessibility to public transport services.
    11 - Support infrastructure provision which helps to manage effectively travel by motor and electric vehicles.   
    1. Support proposals which enhance the quality and functionality of the main strategic “gateway” road routes into the town.
    2. Seek to ensure adequate, efficient safe and secure parking provision is maintained in the town and neighbourhood centres.
    3. Support infrastructure which enables an increased use of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
    12 - Support greater accessibility and connectivity to services, trade, social capital, mobility and education.
    1. Support improvements to physical infrastructure necessary to enable greater internet speeds / bandwidth (online connectivity) to be achieved. 
  • Do you agree with aims 10-12 and their objectives?

  • Theme: A Dynamic and Prosperous Community

    This section looks at how the Neighbourhood Plan can support Taunton’s economy, employment and businesses across the wider town. We want your views on what land, buildings, infrastructure, design or other improvements could help existing businesses, especially those outside the town centre.

    Your feedback will help shape how the plan supports shared workspaces, business collaboration, live-work units, micro-businesses, the visitor economy, more sustainable business practices, and community-owned or co-operative businesses.

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  • Topic: Economy, employment and retail

    Aims

    Objectives
    13 - Support, improve and promote safe routes for pedestrians, cycles and mobility vehicles and facilitate greater use of sustainable and active transport options.

    1. Support proposals for multi-use shared spaces which host and help to encourage greater community and business collaboration.

    2. Where appropriate, support provision of live-work units that encourage the development of micro-businesses and low-cost housing opportunities.

    3. Support the visitor economy and Taunton’s role as a destination town in Somerset.

    4. Support proposals which improve the sustainability of businesses.

    5. Promote and support the growth of community owned and co-operative businesses
  • Do you agree with aim 13 and its objectives?

  • Final Comments and Keeping in Touch

    To finish, we would like to hear any other comments you have on the draft aims and objectives, or anything else you think the Neighbourhood Plan should cover.

    We will also ask a few optional questions about you, such as your age group and connection to Taunton. This helps us understand who we have heard from and whether views differ across different groups or areas.

    This is also your chance to tell us if you would like to stay in the loop as the plan develops, including future consultation opportunities, updates and ways to get involved.

  • What is your age group?
  • What gender do you identify as?
  • Should be Empty: