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Planning permission is generally required prior to starting any development. Under Planning Law "development" is defined as: "the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any buildings or other land". The exception is those developments that fall under 'Permitted Development' rights listed in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.
The procedure followed by the County Council when considering any planning application is established by statute with provision for consultation with other district councils, county councils, government departments and other statutory authorities. Applications are also advertised by posting a notice on the site and in some cases in the local press. Owner/Occupiers of properties neighbouring development sites are also informed of proposals by letter.
Decisions on any application submitted to the County Council are taken by elected members who sit on the Regulation Committee or by the Corporate Director under 'Delegated Authority'. Information about the Regulation Committee as well as meeting agendas and minutes can be found by clicking on the 'Regulation Committee' button on the right.
Members of the public may participate at meetings of the Regulation Committee at the Chairman's invitation. The leaflet 'Your Chance To Speak', explains how you can do this and is available for viewing by clicking on the 'Publications' button on the right
Planning Protocols
The Protocol For Conduct In Planning Control sets out the practices and procedures that Members and officers of Somerset County Council should follow when determining planning applications. The Protocol is intended to strengthen the trust between the County Council as decision maker and those who make planning applications or are affected by planning decisions. To view this document click on the 'Publications' button on the right.
The National Planning Portal
 For an introduction to the planning system and some explanation of why planning is important to us all visit the guide to planning pages at the National Planning Portal website by following the link.
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