6.1 The preferred Spatial Strategy identifies six Market Towns based on the findings of the South Somerset Settlement Role and Function study and the outcomes of the Town and Parish Council "Cluster meeting" workshops. These are the settlements that should be able to play an important role in providing jobs and services for their residents and the residents of the surrounding countryside. They should be the focal point of locally significant development incluing the bulk of provision outside Yeovil.

6.2 The six identified settlements are Castle Cary/Ansford, Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, Somerton and Wincanton. Growth reports of the individual settlements have been undertaken by the District Council and these form part of the LDF Evidence Base. The key issues, local aspirations, challenges and indications of what the Core Strategy will deliver for each settlement are discussed below.

6.3 Attention is drawn to the different scale of growth proposed for Chard, which is justified due to its size, economic self containment and the work undertaken by LDA Consultants for the District Council in establishing a Regeneration Framework for the town.