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Plan-it Somerset
Planning policy news
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In January, we launched the Somerset Local Plan Call for Sites to help inform the creation of the first Local Plan for Somerset.
The opportunity to submit sites ends Monday, 24 February 2025.
This initiative aims to identify potential land for housing, commercial, and mixed-use developments to meet the growing needs of our community. Submitting a site for consideration helps us build an evidence base from which we can draw up the plan.
If you have a site that you believe could be suitable for development, read more for information and guidance on how to make a submission
We've updated our Local Development Scheme
We've released an updated Local Development Scheme (LDS), outlining the project plan for the Local Plan, as well as Mineral and Waste Plans.
This update follows a directive from the deputy prime minister in December 2024, requiring all local planning authorities to revise their LDS by 6 March 2025.
The update provided an opportunity to reassess the scope of the Somerset Local Plan in light of the new National Planning Policy Framework and the increased housing need for the county.
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Mendip Local Plan Part II Limited Update - Examination
The dates for the hearing sessions of the Examination of the Mendip Local Plan Part II Limited Update have now been arranged.
The hearings will take place over four days opening on Tuesday, 11 March 2025 at our Shepton Mallet offices.
Full details are provided on our Mendip Local Plan Part II Limited Update Examination page.
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 Neighbourhood Planning provides an opportunity for communities to take a leading role in planning their local area. This can be done through a Neighbourhood Development Plan, often referred to as a Neighbourhood Plan (NP), a Neighbourhood Development Order, or a Community Right to Build Order. General Neighbourhood Planning information can be found on our Neighbourhood Planning page.
There are currently 11 Neighbourhood Plans progressing in our Local Planning Authority Area.
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 In December 2024, Central Government revised the National Planning Policy Framework and updated Planning Practice Guidance for calculating housing requirements.
The main change is that instead of using future housing projections published in 2014, the current number of homes in an area is used. An uplift ratio based on the affordability of homes is then applied, using a 3-year average of affordability data instead of the latest annual figure.
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 The Housing Delivery Test is an annual measurement of housing delivery in the area of relevant plan-making authorities, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The latest results, covering up to 2022/23, were released on 12 December 2024. These results show:
- Area South is at 143%
- Area West is at 121%
- Area North is at 115%
- Area East is at 79%
Note: The West area excludes Exmoor National Park.
If a Local Planning Authority (LPA) delivers less than 95% of its housing target, the following consequences apply:
- Below 95%: Publish an action plan.
- Below 85%: Add a 20% buffer to the housing requirement in the 5 Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS) and publish an action plan.
- Below 75%: Apply the presumption in favour of sustainable development, add a 20% buffer to the housing requirement in the 5YHLS, and publish an action plan.
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