Wells, Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury barely get a look-in under Somerset's new 20-year economic blueprint, as major investment flows west to Bridgwater and south to Yeovil.

The Somerset Economic Prosperity Strategy 2025–2045 maps out a future focused on high-value manufacturing, clean energy, defence, and digital innovation. Flagship projects include a £4bn battery factory at the Gravity Enterprise Zone near Bridgwater, expansion of the Leonardo aerospace cluster in Yeovil, and a new tidal energy scheme planned for West Somerset.

But there are no equivalent game-changers in Mendip. While the strategy nods to the area's strengths in tourism and the creative industries—highlighting Glastonbury Festival and Wells Cathedral—it offers no major infrastructure, jobs or skills pledges for the district.

The north-east of the county is mentioned briefly as having potential in agri-food and culture, with "growing linkages to the creative clusters of Bristol and Bath" from Frome. But Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury and Wells are entirely absent from the list of targeted growth zones or innovation corridors.

Meanwhile, council spending has raised eyebrows. More than £33m has been paid to consultants and temporary staff since 2023, prompting criticism that frontline priorities are being overlooked.

Local services are already stretched. In Glastonbury, ambulance crews are "stretched to the limit", according to MP Sarah Dyke, while in Wells, police are cracking down on banned turns after a spike in illegal driving.

The council promises localised implementation plans next. But until they appear, Mendip towns remain on the margins of Somerset's economic future.

More local stories:

• Drivers warned after illegal turn sparks crackdown in Wells
• Somerset Council spends £33m on consultants and agency staff since 2023
• Glastonbury ambulance crews 'stretched to the limit', warns MP after frontline shift

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