Somerset Local Plan
Somerset Council will be progressing a Somerset Local Plan. We aim to replace all of the former District Council Local Plans with a new single Local Development Scheme for Somerset to cover both a new Somerset Local Plan and Minerals and Waste Plan. The former county and district councils have begun work to scope the content and timescales for a new Local Plan. This includes ongoing work to progress and align key evidence base documents.
You can view the current Local Plan documents for the district councils on the adopted local plans page and will remain part of the Development Plan until they are replaced either wholly or in part by the Somerset Local Plan.
Work had progressed on the review of existing former district councils Local Plans. Although these will not now be progressed, this work remains relevant to the new Somerset Local Plan, and information gathering through engagement activities will remain important in shaping the new Somerset Local Plan.
- Somerset West and Taunton Local Plan Review 2040
- South Somerset Local Plan Review 2020 to 2040
Somerset West and Taunton Local Plan 2040 Review
Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) had made some progress on their Local Plan 2040 review before the announcement that the councils within Somerset would become a unitary authority.
Whilst a plan for Somerset West and Taunton will now not progress, the earlier work is still relevant to the forthcoming Somerset Local Plan.
The current Local Plan documents for Somerset West and Taunton Council can be found on the adopted local plans page and will remain part of the Development Plan until they are replaced either wholly or in part by the Somerset Local Plan.
Somerset West and Taunton Local Plan 2040 Issues and Options Document
The first stage of the Local Plan Review 2040 was the Issues and Options document. The document looks at key issues for our area and suggests ways to address these. The issues included how to plan for the places and spaces we live and work in – community services, shops, transport and infrastructure – our wildlife and landscapes – and the climate emergency.
The Issues and Options document was consulted upon between Monday 13 January and Monday 16 March 2020.
Issues and Options Consultation Part 1 Report
Issues and Options Consultation Part 2 Report
Issues and Options Consultation Part 2 Report Appendix 1
Issues and Options Consultation Part 2 Report Appendix 2
The full consultation responses submitted by individuals and organisations. Use the index to find the right file to view.
Index of responses
RC 001-010
RC 011-020
RC 021-030
RC 031-040
RC 041-050
RC 051-060
RC 061-070
RC 071-079
RC 080 1-4
RC 080 5-7
RC 081-090
RC 091-095
A-B
C-D
E-I
J-K
L-M
N-R
S-Y
Topic Papers were produced alongside the Issues and Options consultation:
Topic Paper 1: Brief assessment of settlement strategy options
Topic Paper 2: Settlement boundaries
Sustainability Appraisal
The Sustainability Appraisal (SA) informs the Local Plan. It looks at how the Local Plan can deliver environmental, economic and social objectives.
The Scoping Report and the Objectives and Alternatives Main Report and Appendix A and Appendix B were consulted upon at the same time as the Issues and Options document.
Habitats Regulation Assessment
The Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) looks at whether the plan, alone, or in together with other plans or projects, is likely to have a significant effect on an international nature conservation sites (Special Protection Areas (SPA), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Ramsar sites). The Habitats Regulation Assessment was consulted upon at the same time as the Issues and Options document.
South Somerset Local Plan 2020 to 2040 Review
South Somerset District Council had made progress on their Local Plan 2020 to 2040 review before the announcement that the councils within Somerset would become a unitary authority.
Whilst a plan for South Somerset District Council will now not progress, the earlier work is still relevant to the forthcoming Somerset Local Plan. You can find further information below on the work that South Somerset District Council had already undertaken on the Local Plan Review, along with supporting evidence for plan-making. New evidence will be published as it becomes available.
You can find the current Local Plan documents for South Somerset District Council on the adopted local plans page and these will remain part of the Development Plan until they are replaced either wholly or in part by the Somerset Local Plan.
Preferred Options Consultation 28 June 2019 to 18 September 2019
You can view the Preferred Options document here. The document set out for consultation the council’s proposed strategy for delivering new homes and employment for the period 2016 to 2036, including site allocations and policies against which planning applications will be assessed.
The document reflects the latest Government Guidance in the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the evidence base produced to support the Plan process.
The consultation was designed to involve as many individuals and businesses of South Somerset as possible so that views could be collected and taken into account to help shape and evolve the next stage of the Local Plan.
The consultation period was held from 28 June 2019 to 18 September 2019.
See more information on the Local Plan Review and the Preferred Options phase and questions and answers.
Evidence Documents:
The Habitats Regulation Assessment Report
The Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report
The Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report Non-Technical Summary
South Somerset Local Plan Preferred Options Maps
Issues and Options Public Consultation 2017
The Issues and Options document sets out the issues identified by the Council evidence base below and makes suggestions to address them. Please note Issues and Options Errata (corrections)
A consultation took place between October 2017 and January 2018. View a summary of the main points.
Sustainability Appraisal Interim Report (October 2017)
Scoping Report (May 2017)
Duty to Cooperate
A Duty to Cooperate Statement has been prepared to support the Local Plan Review process, following consultation with Duty to Cooperate partners during June and July 2020.
This is a live document and will be updated as necessary as the Local Plan Review is progressed, and Statements of Common Ground are prepared with partners.
Evidence Base
Evidence base was produced to inform the production of the Local Plan 2020 to 2040 Review.
Housing, economic, landscape, heritage, tree canopy, infrastructure, strategic flood risk and settlement evidence base is available within the evidence base and monitoring page.