SOUTH Somerset District Council has now received the inspector’s report into the Local Plan.

The report, written by David Hogger, concludes that the plan is ‘sound’, subject to the council making a series of modifications.

It marks a significant point in the process of adopting a new Local Plan for south Somerset.

According to South Somerset District Council, the publication: n Ratifies the council’s objectives to deliver 15,950 homes by 2028 n Ratifies the council’s plan to deliver 11,250 jobs by 2028 n Confirms the council’s ambition for how towns, villages and rural areas will grow and change, and n Endorses policies against which the council will judge planning applications across the district.

The next big step is for the council to make the proposed changes and present the final Local Plan to a meeting of the full council on March 5.

Cllr Tim Carroll, Deputy Leader of the council, said: “This is a major milestone for the council.

“It has been a lengthy process and I would pay tribute to everyone’s hard work over the last few years.

“We have reacted positively to the inspector’s requests to make changes and it is pleasing that these have now been confirmed.

“The plan focuses on bringing much needed homes and jobs to the district in the right number and place and puts the council in a stronger position to make better decisions about the future of south Somerset and to resist inappropriate or speculative applications.”