We, as part of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, have two main concerns about the provision of 12000 houses and work places, the first being the spiritual and pastoral well-being of so many people and secondly the education of their children.
We have looked at your proposals and would like you to consider including two worship centres close by the two district centres and secondary schools. We are thinking of something similar to the For All Healthy Living Centre at Bournville or the worship centre based at St George's School as models.
With two new secondary schools being proposed, we would urge you to consider one, at least being a Church of England secondary school. At present North Somerset does not provide the option of children going to a Christian-based school in the area in accordance with the 1944 Education Act. This would be a marvellous opportunity of redressing that imbalance. It should be noted that the Diocese is involved with the creation of a new faith-based secondary school in Taunton. Also the two latest Primary Schools in the area both have a Voluntary Aided status.
A further concern from a pastoral/spiritual point of view is the need to provide a new, additional facility for a crematorium. The present one is over-stretched and is sited in an inconvenient position taking into account the huge impact this extra development will have on
the existing road structure.