Residents of Wells are being invited to have their say on the future of housing development in and around the city at an upcoming public meeting hosted by Wells Civic Society.

The event, which will take place on 9th October at 7pm at Wells Museum, aims to tackle the big question: Is more housing good or bad for Wells?

The discussion will explore how housing development should be approached in historic cities like Wells and what strategies could be put in place to respond to future growth. While housing numbers are largely dictated by national policy, the meeting will look at how Wells, as a hub for retail, education, healthcare, and leisure, can influence development plans in the surrounding region.

The evening will feature a panel of influential speakers, including Councillor Ros Wyke, Somerset Council Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning, and Assets, Ian Green, Chair of Oxford Civic Society and co-author of Towards a Better Balance Between Heritage and Growth, and a representative from the developer/housebuilder sector. Each speaker will share their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of housing development in Wells and similar historic areas.

Audience participation is actively encouraged, with attendees invited to share their thoughts and concerns. The Civic Society will compile a summary of the debate and use it to produce a report on "How Wells can best respond to housing development."

The meeting is open to members of the Wells Civic Society and members of the public interested in contributing to the conversation. A £5 guest fee is required for non-members. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to book their spot via the society's Events page.