A MAJOR document designed to shape the future growth of Sedgemoor has been adopted by district councillors.

Councillors at Wednesday's special full council meeting agreed to adopt the authority's Core Strategy after it was rated as “sound” by the planning inspector.

The strategy focuses on various prospects for the district until 2027, including housing and employment development, development locations, affordable housing provision, infrastructure funding, retail and leisure development, and Hinkley Point C and other major infrastructure projects.

Councillors received a presentation on the core strategy by council policy manager Nick Tait at Wednesday's meeting.

Cllr Neville Jones responded by calling for more focus on transport infrastructure and tourism in the report.

He said: “The number of people who are having to holiday at home because of the economy will rise and rise, yet there's no adequate provision for the thousands of cars that come down junction 22 into Love Lane and Berrow Road, and visit the holiday villages of Berrow and Brean.”

Cllr Ian Tucker said the strategy is an “excellent document” but stressed the council must ensure it abides by the plans outlined.

Newly-elected Labour group leader Cllr Mick Lerry added councillors must remember the strategy is the council's vision for the development of Sedgemoor.

He said: “I know there can be a thin line between visions and hallucinations but that will depend on the way we maintain and apply this core strategy.

“I believe the core strategy is a template for the future and the Labour group will be looking at this incredibly closely as developments come forward.”

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