Adopted Local Plans

The Local Plan sets out a framework for the future development of the area. It looks at our needs and opportunities in relation to housing, the economy, community facilities and infrastructure. It is also the basis for conserving and enhancing the natural and historic environment, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and achieving well designed places.

We are responsible for producing the Local Plan. The forthcoming Local Development Scheme will set out our timetable for a new Local Plan to cover the whole of Somerset, except for Exmoor National Park which produces its own Local Plan.

Until we adopt the Somerset Local Plan, existing Local Plans remain in place for the individual geographical areas of the former district councils.

Planning Policy Statement

Summary of planning policy documents relating to Somerset Council

PDF, 412KB

Mendip Local Plan Parts I and II

The Planning policies for the Mendip area are contained in the Mendip Local Plan Part 1 and Part 2 which cover the period from 2006 to 2029.

Local Plan Part I was adopted in December 2014 and Local Plan Part 2 in December 2021.

Local Plan Part II was adopted in December 2021 identifying additional housing and employment sites.

You can view the Local Plan and current Policies Map below.

• Mendip area Local Plan Part I 
• Mendip area Local Plan Part II – Sites and Policies, Post Judicial Review Version 
• Policies Map

Mendip Local Plan Part II – Limited Update

Following a Judicial Review into Local Plan Part II, the following site allocations were deleted from the plan on 16  December 2022 – MN1, MN2, MN3, BK1 and NSP1 and remitted to the council for reconsideration . The remainder of adopted Local Plan Part II is not affected.  A related Judicial Review into the changes made to the Mendip Policies Map was dismissed on 14 July 2023. More information is contained in the Executive Report – 10 July 2023.

The Council is currently undertaking the process required (under paragraph 6 of  a High Court Order made on 16 December 2022) to consider where to allocate 505 units consequent on the judgement. This may result in new allocations and amendments to development boundaries once complete. This Order was updated on 14 July 2023 setting specific dates for consultation and submission. An application to amend the dates in the Order was made in December 2023 and confirmed on 19 February 2024. Final proposals will be published for consultations by 30 June 2024 and submitted by the end of September 2024 for examination.

Consultation on Proposed Site Allocations (Regulation 18)

Following a call for sites and a district-wide review, the Council is consulting on proposed housing allocations in the former Mendip area which will provide 500 dwellings by 2029.

The consultation is open from Wednesday 28 February and closes on Friday 12 April at 5pm.

Comments are invited on the following documents and supporting information as shown below.

Online briefings and webinars

Copy of the briefing slides (PDF 696KB)
Recording of the briefing

How to respond

Responses should be made online using the response form on the Consultation Portal, or by email to planningpolicyeast@somerset.gov.uk or by post to:

Planning Policy
Council Offices
Cannards Grave Road
Shepton Mallet
BA4 5BT

For further information or advice, please email planningpolicyeast@somerset.gov.uk.

Consultation Documents – Proposed site allocations

• Proposed Site Allocations (consultation report)
• Summary of site options and site maps by settlement

Site and Settlement Assessments

• Frome
• Glastonbury
• Street
• Shepton Mallet
• Wells
• Sites on Boundary with Bath & North East Somerset (Midsomer Norton and Radstock)
• Villages in North Mendip (Binegar, Gurney Slade, Chilcompton and Oakhill)
• Villages near Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet (Baltonsborough, Butleigh, Oakhill, The Lydfords and Walton)
• Central Mendip Villages (Coleford and Leigh on Mendip)
• Coxley
• Evercreech and Ditcheat
• Meare and Westhay
• Villages west of Wells (Wookey and Westbury-sub-Mendip)
• Villages in north east Mendip (Beckington Rode and Noron St Phillip)
• Technical Appendix – Guide to site and settlement assessments
• Technical Appendix – section 3 Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) site comments

Supporting Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment

• Sustainability Appraisal Regulation 18
• Appendix 2a – Sustainability Appraisal Findings – Towns
• Appendix 2b – Sustainability Appraisal Findings – Villages
• Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report
• Habitat Regulations Assessment Report v4 January 2024

Supporting Documents

• Consultation Notice
• Initial Consultation Statement

Where to find the Consultation Documents

Copies of the Consultation Report and associated documents are also available to view:

• In hard copy for Inspection at the Customer Service Point in the Shepton Mallet Council Offices, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BT, open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm
• At the Customer Access Points (in libraries) in Frome, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Wells and Street

Next steps

Responses will be considered by Somerset Council in preparing finalised proposals for Publication and Submission to the Planning Inspectorate for examination.

This Limited Update is subject to timescales agreed by the High Court, which require publication of final proposals (Regulation 19) for representations by 30 June 2024 and submission of the Limited Update by 30 September 2024.

Judicial Review – upheld 16 December 2022

• Court order, Norton St Philip Parish Council v Mendip District Council 
• Court judgment, Norton St Philip Parish Council v Mendip District Council

Judicial Review – dismissed 14 July 2023

• Court Order – Lochailort Investments v Somerset Council
• Court judgment – Locahilort Investments v Somerset Council
• Urgent Report to Executive – 10 July 2022
• Application to vary Court Order of 14 July 2023 Ammended Order – 19 Feburary 2024

Local Plan Part 2 Archive 2014-2020

• Local Plan Part 2 – Sites and Policies