Introduction
The Somerset Local Plan Call for Sites ran for 6 weeks from 13 January 2025 to 24 February 2025.
During this time, landowners, developers, and site promoters were invited to submit land they want to develop to the Council. This process is crucial for gathering information to help create the new Somerset Local Plan, following national policy and guidance.
Next steps
We will assess each site’s suitability, availability, and achievability. We will use a staged method that combines automated and officer-led assessments based on various criteria. Due to the high number of sites received, this process will help filter and prioritise sites for detailed assessment. The method used to assess sites will be published along with a report summarising the assessment outcomes.
If further information is required, then officers may get in touch with site submitters to seek this information, but generally, assessments will be made based on the submitted information. We will not meet with specific site submitters or promoters to discuss their Call for Sites submissions. If sites from this process are considered as potential options for the local plan, meetings may be considered then.
Site submitters will not get individual feedback on their submissions. However, there will be combined assessment summaries in the overall report when it is published.
These assessments will help decide which sites might be considered in future consultations for the new Local Plan. However, the Call for Sites is just one of many ways we gather information for this process.
Further information
The Submission Guidance, below, explains more about the process and submission information requirements. The guidance also includes a full list of the questions asked in the submission survey.
Agents Forum Briefing Session
On Friday, 17 January 2025 we presented to the Agents Forum on the Call for Sites amongst other topics. This provided some additional information about the Call as well as a chance for questions and answers.
View the recording of Agents Forum Call for Sites – 17 January 2025 (youtube.com)