We've updated our Local Development Scheme

Front cover of the Local Development Scheme 2025.

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.

The council aims to streamline the Local Plan to ensure its timely adoption, demonstrating a proactive approach to housing and infrastructure development. The Local Plan will feature strategic policies and site allocations for housing, employment, and other uses. With the introduction of National Development Management Policies in 2025, detailed development management policies will no longer be included in the Local Plan.

Future updates to the LDS are anticipated once new legislation from the Government confirms the stages for plan-making, expected to include a 30-month timetable for Local Plan production.