A BIG step has been taking towards getting a neighbourhood put in place in Ilminster.

South Somerset District Council has announced that the formal designation of the area covered by the proposed Ilminster Neighbourhood Plan has been received.

Designation is a requirement before the Town Council can start on the procedure of getting a Neighbourhood Plan, and it is just in time for members of the public to get an idea of what the Neighbourhood Plan is all about.

This weekend, an information point is being provided at the Ilminster Midsummer Experience Community Drive, off Silver Street, on Saturday June 10 from 10am to 1pm.

Cllr Tony Walker, chairman of the town council's neighbourhood plan working group, siad: “Councillors will be available to answer any questions people might have and hand out publicity material.

“We will also be doing this throughout the day at the IMEx event at the Rec on Sunday. We will be able to tell you about the series of workshops the council is running to explain the concept of a Neighbourhood Plan and to establish the level of support for the project.”

There are currently three workshops planned, with the first set for the end of this month. The dates are:

  • June 29 The Shrubbery Hotel 7pm start 
  • July 20 The Minster Rooms, Court Barton 10am start
  • July 20 The Minster Rooms, Court Barton 2pm start

Publicity material will also be handed out at the town market on June 22 and 29, also at the Market Square on June 17.

For more information, email town.council@ilminster.gov.uk or phone 01460 52149.

If sufficient support is established a Neighbourhood Plan Implementation Group will be formed consisting of residents, business representatives of the town, members of the Town Council and consultants with specialist knowledge of town development.