Glastonbury residents have shared their thoughts on the town's future as part of the Glastonbury Town Neighbourhood Plan survey, conducted in August and September 2024. The survey aimed to gather feedback on key objectives for the town's development over the next 16 years, focusing on areas such as the environment, climate, employment, heritage, and housing.

A total of 589 responses were received, representing just over 6% of the eligible population. Of those, 76% of respondents were over 50. The results showed strong support for environmental protection, with the objective of maintaining and protecting existing green spaces, archaeological sites, and heritage assets receiving the highest level of agreement. However, concerns were raised about housing, with less than 70% supporting the objective to ensure all new developments have electric vehicle charging points.

The survey identified several key objectives for Glastonbury's development:

1. Allocating sites for small-scale residential development without straining existing infrastructure.
2. Ensuring that new developments consider environmental impacts and necessary infrastructure upgrades.
3. Promoting a mix of open market and affordable housing in new developments.
4. Ensuring appropriate infrastructure for surface water and sewerage management.
5. Supporting the use of renewable energy systems in new housing.
6. Ensuring all new dwellings have access to electric vehicle charging points.
7. Requiring recycling facilities in new developments.
8. Encouraging innovative housing design and energy efficiency, aiming for zero carbon emissions.
9. Reducing carbon emissions in new developments.
10. Providing affordable housing for people with a local connection.
11. Offering smaller housing options for people looking to downsize.

In addition to housing, the plan also includes objectives related to the preservation of Glastonbury's cultural heritage, including:

• Ensuring arts and cultural heritage is incorporated into new developments.
• Seeking World Heritage Site status for Glastonbury.

The survey also collected detailed comments from residents. Many voiced concerns about housing affordability and the impact of tourism. One respondent wrote, "We need more affordable housing for local people. The tourism market has driven house prices up, and locals are being priced out." Others highlighted issues such as illegal traveller sites, the need for more parking, and the strain on local infrastructure during events.

Several residents suggested improvements to the high street, with calls for more practical shops catering to locals instead of those targeting tourists. Others emphasised the importance of preserving Glastonbury's unique character while ensuring that future developments meet the needs of the local community.

The feedback - which you can see in full here - will help shape the Glastonbury Town Neighbourhood Plan, which is set to guide the town's development through to 2040.