Somerset residents and businesses will soon be given the chance to say where thousands of new houses should be built across the county.

Somerset Council will be launching a 'call for sites' in the new year - asking for suggestions on patches of land which should be developed.

Over a six-week period locals will be asked to send in submissions for housing, business land, gypsy and traveller pitches and plots, and renewable energy installations.

The council will then look into each submission as it works towards its first local plan which will govern years of development across Somerset for years to come.

The new Somerset Local Plan will generally replace all existing local plans, which will remain part of the development plan until they are officially replaced.

Cllr Mike Rigby, executive member for economic development, planning and assets, said: "Local Plans are at the heart of the planning system and are the starting point for consideration in deciding planning applications.

"This process will be crucial for gathering information to help develop the Somerset-wide Local Plan.

"People may want to start considering their options and look out for more details on how to submit a site early in the new year."

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The Call for Sites will be followed by assessment of each site's suitability, availability, and achievability, to help determine which sites might be considered in future consultations for the Somerset Local Plan.