Objectives for Shepton Mallet

The vision statement is underpinned by a clear set of core objectives that seek to make a positive contribution to sustainable growth within Shepton Mallet Neighbourhood Area, economically, environmentally, and socially. The core objectives of the plan are: 

Housing and the Built Environment

Aim:

To support future growth whilst retaining the distinctive historic character of the town, together with maintaining the rural setting and views.

Objectives:

1. To allocate a site for future development in Shepton Mallet to meet the identified needs of the community including the provision of affordable homes
2. To ensure new development is sustainable and helps to protect the distinctiveness, character and historic assets of Shepton Mallet, which also does not harm the conservation area
3. To ensure new houses are of high-quality design, in keeping with the established character of the area and built to BREEAM4 home standards
4. The mix of housing in any new development should be designed to meet the needs of the existing and future community and be built to Lifetime Homes Standards
5. To provide affordable market homes and smaller houses / flats suited to those wishing to downsize, to secure their first home, or to live in the neighbourhood area due to local connections
6. To concentrate development within, or immediately adjacent to, existing settlement boundaries
7. To maintain the Shepton Mallet conservation area
8. To utilise suitable brownfield sites within the settlement boundary for re-development
9. To provide appropriate levels of parking within new developments to ensure on road parking is minimised
10. To ensure any infill development in Cowl Street and Hillmead area is of high quality and sympathetic to its surroundings

Go direct to Housing Policies

 Transport

Aim:

To ensure that future growth mitigates for the increased traffic and vehicle usage by making provision for this within development design

Objectives:

1. To ensure sufficient ingress and egress to and from any new developments to minimise detrimental effects of increased vehicle usage
2. To encourage walking and cycling by improving local transport links and public right of way routes within the neighbourhood area and to adjacent parishes, including green lanes to provide for safer travel and healthier lifestyles
3. Improve cycle routes in the town and connect to the Strawberry Line
4. To improve the traffic management within the Town Centre to make it a more pleasant place for residents and visitors
5. Help reduce carbon emissions by encouraging the use of public transport with improved services and facilities
6. Provide adequate parking facilities for vehicles and cycles

Go direct to Transport Policies

Town Centre & Economy

Aim:

To support the local economy through its existing businesses and to encourage expansion of local employment within settlements.

Objectives:

1. Provide for and enhance existing facilities and support initiatives to attract visitors and tourists to the town, in particular the built heritage
2. Existing employment land should be retained, and new employment opportunities encouraged within the town to support the growing population
3. Protect existing employment premises from change of use or redevelopment where the existing businesses are of demonstrable benefit to the community and encourage new independent business
4. Preserve the historic core of the town 

Go direct to Town Centre & Economy Policies

Environment

Aim:

To protect and enhance the wildlife, environment and heritage assets within the diverse landscapes and views of the neighbourhood area

Objectives:

1. To have a thriving community which maintains its heritage assets and green areas as a haven for wildlife
2. To allocate areas which are of importance to the community as Local Green Space
3. To preserve important views within the neighbourhood area
4. To preserve the views from the hills surrounding the town
5. Support proposals that result in retention of natural habitats, for example protecting / creating new green spaces in new housing developments 

Go direct to Environment Policies

Health, Recreation and Community

Aim:

Ensure a satisfactory and diverse range of local facilities appropriate for an expanding town

Objectives:

1. Ensure the provision of appropriate and adequate health services to meet the needs of a growing and ageing population, including pandemic readiness
2. Existing parks, play areas, playing fields and open spaces should be retained and additional open space areas provided
3. Provide space for the provision of community leisure facilities 

Go direct to Health, Recreation and Community Policies