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Plan-it
Somerset
Planning policy news
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 In January 2025, we will be launching the Somerset Local Plan Call for Sites.
This is a 6-week period where landowners, developers, and site promoters can submit to us land they want to develop. This process is crucial for gathering information to help develop the Local Plan. Please note, we will not be consulting on specific proposals or encouraging submissions in particular locations during this time. Submitting a site is not a planning application and does not grant planning permission or any other status.
Following submission of proposals on 30 September, Inspector Clive Coyne BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI has been appointed to replace Inspector K McDonald MSc, MRTPI who is unable to continue with the examination due to unexpected changes in her work commitments.
The Council is expecting guidance on the examination matters and issues to be published by 24 January 2025.
Examination Hearings are planned to take place from Tuesday 11 March 2025 at our offices in Shepton Mallet.
Full details will be provided on our examination page.
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Last month the Supreme Court agreed to hear the latest appeal in the CG Fry / Jurston Farm, Wellington case.
The appellants have been granted leave to challenge the current view that an appropriate assessment is required under the habitat regulations at condition discharge stage, even if the issue was applicable when the planning permission was issued.
We are an interested party and will be represented at the hearings. There is also another potential intervener in these proceedings involving a coalition of environment and wildlife organisations.
The timescale for the hearing is the 17 and 18 February 2025.
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Credit: Mike Hodgson
Norton St Philip Parish Council has submitted its Neighbourhood Plan to us.
The Parish Council has already consulted widely on the Plan with residents, businesses and a whole range of interest groups during the production of the Plan and we're now publicising the plan for 6 weeks, inviting responses before the plan is considered by an Independent Examiner.
The plan will then be subject to a referendum, before finally being adopted if local people vote for it.
 In accordance with regulations, we're consulting on the submission of Cannington Parish Council's Neighbourhood Plan prior to review by an independent examiner.
The 6 week consultation period is underway and closes on Friday 13 December 2024.
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 Views are being sought on a new Local Validation Checklist covering the Somerset Council area.
The key purpose of the document will be to improve the quality and completeness of planning applications submitted so that:
- We spend less time (and resource) validating applications and chasing for missing information, etc.
- Applicants / developers / investors receive a better service as we start processing their applications sooner
- Stakeholders, including parish and town councils get consulted on higher quality / more complete submissions and so the proposals they're being consulted on should be clearer
The consultation runs until 10 January 2025.
Once adopted, the Validation List will be in operation for 2 years before it needs reviewing.
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