Issue 14 - October 2025

Featured updates

Council adopts Mendip Local Plan Part II Limited Update

We've formally adopted the Mendip Local Plan Part II Limited Update, marking a key commitment in the Local Development Scheme. The Limited Update addresses a High Court Order issued in December 2022, which required us to identify replacement housing allocations following the quashing of 5 sites in the original Plan. After a comprehensive review of 162 potential sites, 9 new housing sites have been selected, capable of delivering 569 homes by 2029.

Phosphates Update

Somerset Council Phosphate Credit Scheme

In the River Tone and River Parrett catchment area, we have our own Phosphate Credit (P-credit) scheme to mitigate phosphates from development.

The scheme was previously called the River Tone P-credit scheme and was renamed in June 2025. The P-credit scheme is available for both catchments, which we allocate, maintain and monitor directly.

Local Plan update

Somerset Local Plan 2045 - Stay Informed

Work is underway on the Somerset Local Plan 2045. This is a long-term project and there will be several key milestones along the way. The timetable, progress updates and the latest evidence base is available on our Somerset Local Plan 2045 page.

Town Centre Health Checks report published

The Town Centre Health Checks report is an assessment of the vitality and viability of town centres. These checks help us to understand how well a town centre is performing.

Neighbourhood Plan updates

Cannington Neighbourhood Plan

A decision was taken by the Planning and Transport Policy Sub-Committee on 13 August 2025 to make the Cannington Neighbourhood Plan.

As part of the statutory Development Plan, the made Neighbourhood Plan will be used in the determination of planning applications in the Parish. The Neighbourhood Plan can be found on our Neighbourhood plans – in production and made page.

Hatch Beachamp Neighbourhood Plan

Hatch Beauchamp Parish Council has submitted their Neighbourhood Plan to us.

There will now be a period of statutory consultation before the plan is submitted for Independent Examination. Details will appear on our Neighbourhood plans – in production and made page in due course.

Oake Neighbourhood Plan

The Oake Neighbourhood Plan Referendum is being held on Thursday, 23 October 2025. A neighbourhood plan referendum is a local vote where residents in Oake Parish (the neighbourhood area for the Neighbourhood Plan) decide whether to approve a neighbourhood plan developed by their community. If the majority vote 'yes,' the plan becomes part of the local planning framework, allowing the community to shape future development in their area.

Consultations

Have your say on the future of Yeovil Town Centre

We're asking residents, businesses and those with an interest in Yeovil to share their views on how the town should develop in future.

We're working on a Town Centre Masterplan and consulting on it. The consultation finishes on Sunday, 2 November 2025, so that people can have their say and help shape Yeovil in years to come.

Help Shape Our Local Nature Recovery Strategy

First Habitat Banks secured in Somerset

We've recently successfully completed our first legal agreements to secure Habitat Banks in Somerset. These Habitat Banks will deliver habitat enhancement and creation works on 3 sites near Wiveliscombe, Shepton Mallet and Yeovil with a view to providing Biodiversity Units to meet Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements of developments in Somerset and potentially beyond.

Off-site BNG delivery is a critical component for enabling new development. Ensuring that this can happen in Somerset is an important step forward.