PEOPLE have the chance to give their opinion on where they would like to see thousands of homes built over the next two decades.

They are being invited to comment on the local plan for the Taunton Deane and West Somerset areas covering the period up to 2040.

A series of roadshows are being staged over the coming weeks during a consultation running from Monday until March 16 on Somerset West and Taunton Council's issues and options document

The local plan - currently covering up to 2032 - will set out where new development should go and how it should be designed.

It covers spatial strategy and policies to address issues such as climate change, housing, jobs, infrastructure, the environment and community facilities. It also details the policies that planning applications will be assessed against.

Cllr Mike Rigby, executive councillor for planning policy and transport, said: "A good local plan is helped by information from local people so that we understand what is important to local communities and businesses.

"We need to make sure that enough homes and jobs can be built as well as facilities such as shops, services and transport improvements.

"This is the chance for everyone, who lives, works or cares, to make a difference to the future of the district.

"We are consulting on a range of potential approaches and invite as many people as possible to respond to our consultation.

"It’s really important that if people are interested in how their localities develop over the next two decades, they engage with this process."

The issues and options document is the first consultation stage in the local plan process and sets out key issues such as climate change and development needs.

All parishes in the area and neighbouring councils have been asked for their views to the document, which outlines the scale of growth and how it could be achieved.

The roadshows are at Wellington, Quaker Meeting House, January 21, 10am to 3pm; Williton, West Somerset House, January 30, 2pm to 7pm; Taunton, Orchard Shopping Centre, February 6, 10am to 3pm; Minehead, Methodist Church, February 10, 2pm to 7pm; Watchet, The Sanctuary, February 11, 10am to 3pm; Wiveliscombe, Community Centre, February 20, 10am to 3pm; Taunton, Deane House, February 27, 2pm to 7pm.

The document can be viewed at somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/planning-policy/adopted-local-plans/local-plan-review-2040/