Since May 2016 Copper has been working with the local community to help shape plans for a new development in Shepton Mallet which is set to be ‘much more than just another housing estate’.
On Friday April 21 the project passed an important milestone as Copper hosted the last drop-in public exhibition for outline plans to deliver new homes, green space and facilities, as well as the relocation of the Mid Somerset Show.
The final exhibition was well attended by around 180 local residents, councillors, planning officers and organisations. Updated plans and materials showing how the plans evolved were on show, including sketches, maps and plans hand-drawn by the local community in previous workshops. The enthusiasm and quality of feedback provided by the community at the event was extremely encouraging and will help inform the final tweaks before an outline planning application is submitted.
Copper was appointed by The Duchy of Cornwall and C G Fry & Son to help communicate their vision for the site and support The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community in delivering a series of Enquiry by Design workshops and events for the proposed new development in Shepton Mallet, allocated in Mendip District Council’s Local Plan.
As well as drop-in exhibitions, events also included day-long master planning workshops and stalls at community summer fairs.
By going beyond traditional public consultation methods and asking the community to work with the project team to plan the development from scratch, Copper helped create a shared vision between the community and our client of what the development should be.
This community-led approach has helped to garner a buy-in for the plans from local people, ahead of submitting a planning application.
Subject to planning approval for the outline plans, Copper will be supporting the Duchy of Cornwall and C G Fry & Son to deliver a public consultation for a detailed planning application for the scheme later this year.
