Mendip Local Plan update: New housing sites identified after legal challenge

We've submitted submitted proposals to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination to update the Mendip Local Plan Part II (LPP2) which runs to 2029.

The LPP2 site allocations plan was adopted by the former Mendip District Council in December 2021 but was subject to a successful legal challenge. The High Court deleted 5 housing sites from the LPP2 and ordered us to reconsider and identify sites for at least 505 dwellings in the former Mendip District area.

We met the Court deadline to submit revised proposals by 30 September 2024. The Limited Update document identifies 9 sites capable of delivering 569 dwellings by 2028. More than 160 housing sites were put forward or considered in the process.

The Planning Inspectorate has appointed an Inspector, Mrs Katie McDonald MSc MRTPI to examine the Plan which will include public hearings likely to take place in early 2025.

We have appointed Louise St John Howe as the Programme Officer to support the Inspector. The Programme Officer acts as the contact for any person who has an interest in the examination, liaising between us, the Inspector and Representors.

Contact details for the Programme Officer, progress on the examination and submitted documents can be found on our Mendip Local Plan Part II Limited Update Examination page.

Once the Inspector has reported and the policies are adopted, the Limited Update will form part of the Development Plan for Mendip, alongside Local Plan Parts I and II.