THE next step in a district-wide economic, infra- structure and growth masterplan proposes more jobs but fewer homes.

The council's new Draft Core Strategy continues on from last year's Local Development Framework (LDF) Core Strategy.

It outlines the district's economic, infrastructure and growth plans up to 2026 and considers the Government's recent scrapping of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS).

The updated district plans include 10,100 homes – 100 fewer than the RSS – and 9,160 jobs – up from 7,500 – although this figure only considered Bridgwater travel-to-work area figures.

Planning policy manager Nick Tait said: "This new document comes after the initial core strategy and builds on it. It comes after lengthy public consultation, where people voiced their ideas.

"We listened and hope the new document fits better with each area – we feel the housing and number of jobs created relate to each other better. This is the document the council hopes to adopt."

In Bridgwater, there are 7,100 proposed homes – 600 fewer than before – and 6,400 jobs – up 400 on last time.

Mr Tait said: "Looking at Bridgwater there are less homes, we have taken away some proposed for greenfield sites, which we believe are not needed. The proposed jobs would be created with new opportunities such as the Morrisons regional distribution centre, and we've identified the former Royal Ordinance factory on the town's outskirts as a place for a low-carbon energy facility."

In Burnham, there are now around 1,500 proposed homes – up around 250 – and 1,400 jobs – up 400.

Mr Tait said: "We are looking at several sites for the homes including greenfield – but nothing is certain at the moment."

Junction 24 Action Group protesters attended the council's Executive meeting on the document on August 11, stressing "keep off the greenfield we have".

In response, the council said brownfield is preferred for developments and greenfield would only be considered if housing targets could not be met.

There is also a section on the potential increase to homes if EDF's proposed Hinkley Point C nuclear power station is approved.

The build is likely to create around 900 full-time jobs, 600 of which could be based in Sedgemoor.

The increase in proposed homes district-wide is 10,640 – up from the 10,100. In Bridgwater, the homes proposed considering Hinkley is 7,640 – up from the 7,100.

Mr Tait quickly pointed out the new station would not be operational until around 2018.

The council's Executive approved the document at its meeting, to go before full council on September 8.

An eight-week consultation on the new document is likely to run from the end of September, before any Government consideration early next year.