PRESS RELEASE Thursday 19 June 2025
Green councillor pledges to balance homes and nature in new planning role
Following a major Council decision yesterday, on its response to Government requests for further housing development in North Somerset, Green Party Councillor Annemieke Waite has pledged to put local communities, sustainability and nature at the heart of North Somerset’s new Local Plan. Cllr Waite is the newly-appointed Executive Member for Planning and Environment on North Somerset Council.
Speaking at the Council’s Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Cllr Waite said she had thought “long and hard” before accepting the role — aware of the scale of the challenge, and of the local concern surrounding proposed development sites, particularly in the north of the district.
“This is a huge responsibility — politically, environmentally, and above all to the communities we serve,” said Cllr Waite. “Many of the proposed new housing sites are in the north of the district — including in my own ward of Winford. People here are already feeling the pressure from previous developments. Roads are congested. Services are stretched. And the idea of more homes without more infrastructure understandably worries people. I get it — I live here too.”
But rather than shy away from the challenge, Cllr Waite said she had chosen to step up and help shape the plan from within — to push for genuinely sustainable development, homes that people can afford, and strong environmental protection.
“We can’t pretend North Somerset doesn’t need more homes — but we must ensure they’re the right homes, in the right places, built in the right way,” she said.
“That means net-zero homes, that are affordable, energy-efficient, and suitable for all ages and needs. It means protecting nature and biodiversity, and investing in public transport, health services, flood defences, schools and more. We cannot grow communities without the infrastructure to support them.”
The Local Plan sets out where development can happen between now and 2040, following new targets from the Labour government that have increased the area’s housing requirement to more than 23,000 homes.
Cllr Waite said it was essential that housing and environmental goals are not treated separately.
“Planning and climate are deeply connected — and must be treated that way,” she said. “The Green Party believes we can build the homes we need and protect and restore the environment — but only if we plan with purpose and care, holding the housing developers to account every step of the way. That’s what I’m committed to doing.”
Cllr Waite also praised council officers for their hard work in preparing the draft plan and stressed that resident involvement will be a priority in the next stages.
“We must work with, not just for, our communities,” she added. “I’ll be working closely with the Planning Team to make sure we’re listening to local people — not just through consultation documents, but through genuine engagement as we develop plans further.”
The Council agreed four new recommendations at the meeting, which include the development of a full Infrastructure Delivery Plan to address essential social and transport infrastructure needs, and a call to Government for the funding needed to support sustainable growth.