Find out if you need planning permission

Information and advice to help you decide if you need planning permission

Speaking at Planning Committee 

Guidance on how to request to speak at a planning committee, documentation and speaking time limits

Planning fees and charges

Find out more about the different types of planning applications and the fees required

Planning Aid England

Planning Aid England provides free, independent, professional planning advice and support

Planning pre-application advice

Pre-application advice is an important part of the planning process and we welcome early discussions before you submit a planning application

Apply for planning permission

How to apply and pay for planning permission

Apply for planning permission for a minerals development

Planning permission for mineral extraction, quarries, peat workings and processing plants

Information requirements for planning applications

The information that you need to submit for planning applications

Planning Performance Agreements

A Planning Performance Agreement is a negotiated agreement, signed separately for each stage of a project

Planning appeals

You have the right to appeal a planning decision to the Planning Inspectorate.

View and comment on a planning application

Search for planning applications and keep up to date with their progress

Apply for planning permission for a waste related development

Determining planning applications for waste related developments

Plan-it Somerset Newsletter Sign-up

Sign-up for the planning policy newsletter - housing, economy, environmental conservation, heritage preservation, and more

Adopted Local Plans

The Local Plan sets out a framework for the future development of the area

Somerset Local Plan

The development of a new Local Plan for Somerset

Minerals and Waste Planning

Somerset Council is the minerals and waste planning authority for the whole county, except Exmoor National Park.

Neighbourhood Planning

Shape the future of your local area by creating a Neighbourhood Plan or Neighbourhood Development Order.

Local Development Scheme

The Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out the timetable for the production of planning policy documents.

Statement of Community Involvement

The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how we involve the residents, businesses and others when we look at local development.

Supplementary Planning Documents

Detailed advice or guidance on policies in an adopted local plan.

Design and technical guidance

Other non-statutory or locally adopted planning policy guidance

Evidence Base and Monitoring

Gathering evidence and factual information to help identify the area's issues and needs is an important aspect of the process of planning.

Local Development Orders

Local Development Orders, Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders 

Brownfield Register

This register contains details of previously developed land or buildings suitable for housing

Article 4 Directions

An article 4 direction is a direction which enables the local planning authority to withdraw specified permitted development rights across a defined area.

Radioactive waste

Information about planning applications for radioactive waste management in Somerset

Building control

Somerset Building Control provides a modern, flexible building control service to business and householders in the South West.

Search for listed buildings

If you are unsure whether your building is listed, you can check using the links available

Report a planning breach

If you suspect a breach of planning control, you can complete the breach of planning form

Planning Enforcement Policy

Our Planning Enforcement Policy provides details on Somerset Council’s approach to investigating unauthorised development

Environmental Call for Sites

Seeking submissions of land promoted for delivery of either Phosphate Mitigation Schemes or Biodiversity Net Gain

Phosphates in Somerset background information

Background information about phosphate levels on the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site

Legal advice on Phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar Site

Somerset Council needs to minimise the risk of unacceptable amounts of phosphates in the Somerset Levels and Moors.

River Axe Special Area of Conservation

It was required for local planning authorities to consider the nutrients impacts of any new plans and projects

Phosphate Budget Calculator

The first step in understanding the implications of development on phosphate levels is the publication of a Phosphate Calculator

Somerset West and Taunton interim strategy: Phosphate Credit Scheme

Find out the latest position on the progress of the interim strategy

Phosphates – Guidance, Template Documents and Useful information

Templates and guidance to assist applicants with preparing Nutrient Neutrality And Mitigation Statements

Government Announcement on Nutrient Neutrality: 29 August 2023

Somerset Council’s position following Government Announcement of 29 August 2023

Phosphate mitigation schemes in the Somerset Levels

Potential Third Party Phosphate Mitigation Schemes in the Somerset Levels and Moors Catchment Area

Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 Agreements

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge on a new development to contribute to support or refurbish existing infrastructure.

Community Infrastructure Levy

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge on a new development to contribute to support or refurbish existing infrastructure.

Section 106 Agreements

Section 106 agreements, or planning obligations, are legal agreements between Local Authorities and developers which are linked to a planning permission.

Infrastructure Funding Statements

An Infrastructure Funding Statement is a summary of contributions received from developers to support a new development

Significant Planning Projects

Significant development schemes currently being progressed through the planning and place-making process

Taunton Garden Town

Garden Town status for Taunton represents a once in a generation opportunity to improve the lives of our community

Shepton Mallet Masterplan

The former Mendip District Council commissioned environmental and planning consultants LUC to develop a Masterplan for Shepton Mallet town centre

Saxonvale in Frome

Information about the purchase of land to regenerate Frome town centre

Firepool regeneration in Taunton

The former Somerset West and Taunton Council produced an ambitious, up to date Draft Masterplan for the Firepool regeneration site in Taunton town centre.

Heritage and Landscape

Heritage and landscape overview

Conservation Areas

Conservation areas are defined under the legislation as "areas of special architectural or historic interest"

Listed Buildings

A listed building is a building included on the 'List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest' created by Historic England.

Local Heritage List

The Local Heritage List is a register of buildings, structures, features, or places with a special contribution to the character of Somerset

Advice on the conservation of historic buildings

There are useful sources of information about the conservation of historic buildings, their care, repair and maintenance

Landscape and Planning

If your project might impact the landscape, you may need a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

Biodiversity in the planning process

Working with other organisations, groups and communities - projects to improve and protect Somerset's wildlife

Environmental Call for Sites

Seeking submissions of land promoted for delivery of either Phosphate Mitigation Schemes or Biodiversity Net Gain

Biodiversity Net Gain

Biodiversity Net Gain aims to leave the natural environment in a better state than it was before

Habitat Evaluation Process

Calculating the value of habitats for important species

Ecological Networks

Information on ecological networks, National Planning Policy Framework and Biodiversity

European Protected Species

Assessments to look at the effect of our plans on species protected by European Law

Habitat Regulations Assessment

Habitats Regulations Assessments identify any likely impacts of a plan or planning application

Somerset Ecology Services

We offer a range of professional ecological services to clients outside the Council

Trees

Guidance on tree maintenance, inspections and your rights

Hedgerow regulations and apply for hedgerow removal

Apply to get permission to remove a countryside hedgerow

Bird nesting season guidance

Bird nesting season usually takes place between March and September each year.

Trees in conservation areas and application forms

Protecting trees within the conservation area boundary from harmful topping, lopping, or felling

Tree Preservation Orders

The purpose of a Tree Preservation Order is to protect trees that are significant to their local surroundings

Work to trees in Conservation areas

All trees in conservation areas are protected from unnecessary felling or lopping

Trees on development sites

Proposals for development and redevelopment of land need to include appropriate measures for the retention of existing vegetation.

Hedgerow removal

Hedgerows on non-domestic land, around fields and along roadsides

High Hedge Disputes

If your neighbour owns an evergreen hedge close to your property you can make a formal complaint to your Somerset Council

Tree Survey or Arboricultural Assessment

How to prepare a tree survey or Arboricultural Impact Assessment and Method Statement

Ash Dieback

The impact from Ash Dieback will be a highly significant, with big changes to our landscape

Apply to register common land as a town or village green

We are responsible for processing applications to register land as a town or village green in Somerset

Fly-grazing

Fly-grazing is when a horse is left on someone's land without the permission of the landowner.

Book an appointment to view the commons register

Includes information regarding viewing the commons register

Local Land Charges

A Local Land Charge Search is carried out when a property or a piece of land is being purchased, leased or valued

Personal searches of the Land Charges Register in South Somerset

Perform searches online using our map based search facility

Apply for a highways land charge search

We hold information about the status and extent of the highways in Somerset

Street naming and numbering

The Council manages the naming of streets and the numbering or naming of residential and business properties within a street

Street nameplate repairs

We aim to keep street nameplates in good repair and fitted in suitable positions. Please notify us of a damaged or missing nameplate

Climate and Ecological Emergency

Working towards a climate resilient Somerset

Conservation Areas

Conservation areas are defined under the legislation as "areas of special architectural or historic interest"

Climate Positive Planning in the Somerset West and Taunton area

Tackling the Climate Emergency through both mitigation of, and adaptation to, projected climate change.

Sustainable Drainage

Information about the impact of new development on flood risk and resilience to flooding

Climate resilient Community-based Catchment Planning and Management

Includes information about the TRIPLE C partnership

Scheduled monuments

Scheduling is the process through which important sites and monuments are given legal protection

Somerset’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Somerset Local Nature Recovery Strategy will set local priorities and identify opportunities for co-ordinated action to help nature thrive

Build your own home

The Council maintains a register of those interested in self-build and custom house-building

Getting Around Agusta Park

Information for residents of Agusta Park, Yeovil to help with sustainable travel around the local area

Getting Around Brimsmore

Information for residents of Brimsmore, Yeovil to help with sustainable travel around the local area

Getting around Kingsfield

For residents of Kingsfield, Glastonbury to help you make sustainable travel choices getting around the local area

Getting Around Orchard Grove

As part of the planning application process for the Orchard Grove development, a Travel Plan was produced for residents

Council buildings

Includes the Corporate Asset Management Plan and Asset Report

Commercial property investments

Find out about our investments.

Energy Management

Includes advice on saving energy, energy management and funding