Issue 12 - June 2025

Local Plan update

Mendip Local Plan Part II Limited Update - Main Modifications

A consultation on Main Modifications and Additional Modifications was held between 15 April to 26 May 2025. A small number of responses were received with no direct comments made on the changes. We expect to receive the examination report by the end of July with adoption in September 2025. A revised version of Local Plan Part II including the additional sites will then be published.

Neighbourhood Plan updates

Oake Neighbourhood Plan

Following Regulation 16 consultation which closed on 20 June 2025, the Independent Examination of Oake Neighbourhood Plan commenced.

Ann Skippers has been appointed as the Independent Examiner.

Neighbourhood Plan Referenda Dates

The following Neighbourhood plans have been checked for compliance with the basic conditions, and legal conformity by an Independent Examiner. We've therefore arranged a referendum in each area:

• Cannington – Thursday 10 July
• Norton St Philip – Thursday 17 July
• Shepton Mallet – Thursday 17 July

The question asked at the referendum will be ‘do you want Somerset Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Cannington / Norton St Philip / Shepton Mallet to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’.

If more than 50% of eligible voters vote in favour of the Plan, we'll make the Plan within 8 weeks of the referendum.

Documents can be viewed under each Neighbourhood Plan Area via our Neighbourhood plans – in production and made page.

Queries on the documents or Neighbourhood Planning process should be made by emailing:

• planningpolicynorth@somerset.gov.uk regarding Cannington
• planningpolicyeast@somerset.gov.uk for Shepton Mallet and Norton St Philip.

Queries about the election process should be directed to elections@somerset.gov.uk or telephone 0300 123 2224.