Planning, buildings and land

Includes planning permission, building control, countryside and climate emergency

In this section

Planning Enforcement

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

Planning applications

How to make a planning application and follow its progress

Planning policy

Information about the preparation and implementation of our planning strategy and policy documents

Pages in Planning applications

Find out if you need planning permission

Information to help you decide if you need planning permission

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 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

Speaking at a Planning Committee meeting

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

Apply for planning permission

How to apply and pay for planning permission

Somerset self-build and custom house building

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

Pages in Planning policy

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 2045

Information on the development of a new Local Plan for Somerset

Minerals and Waste Planning

We are the minerals and waste planning authority for the whole county, except Exmoor National Park

Waste Planning Policy Review

A review of our Waste Core Strategy

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.

Planning policy design and technical guidance

Other non-statutory or locally adopted planning policy guidance

Local Plan 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

Somerset Building Control

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

Phosphates

Working to address water quality issues impacting sites including the Somerset Levels and Moors

Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 Agreements

Includes exemptions and levies

Pages in Phosphates

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 Council Phosphate Credit Scheme

Useful information about P-Credit scheme

Phosphates guidance, templates and useful information

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

Third party phosphate credit schemes

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

Environmental Call for Sites

Seeking submissions of land promoted for delivery of either Phosphate Mitigation Schemes or Biodiversity Net Gain, to help unlock development in Somerset

Pages in Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 Agreements

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

Includes information about major projects planned for our area

Heritage and landscape

Includes historic and listed buildings

Trees and hedges

Includes Tree Preservation Orders and hedgerow removal

Pages in Significant planning projects

Significant development schemes

All development schemes in progress and at the delivery stage

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

Wellington Place Plan

The Place Plan will look at potential options for future growth to support housing and employment needs - retail and commercial function, transport systems, and culture and heritage.

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.

Pages in Heritage and landscape

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

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

Apply for listed building consent

Listed building consent is required for all works of demolition, alteration or extension to a listed building that affect its character

Unauthorised works to listed buildings

Unauthorised works to listed buildings will be investigated and may lead to a prosecution resulting in a criminal record, fine or prison term.

Get a building listed or delisted

If you would like to have a building considered for listing or delisting, you can submit an application form to Historic England

Scheduled monuments

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

Heritage at risk

We are dedicated to preserving our heritage for current and future generations to enjoy

Pages in Trees and hedges

Trees in conservation areas and application forms

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

Tree Preservation Orders

Tree Preservation Orders 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

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 – advice and safety information

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

Trees and Tree Management

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.

Giving notice to work on a dead or dangerous tree

What to do if you think a tree is unsafe and needs to be removed urgently in a Conservation Area or under Tree Preservation Order

Biodiversity and planning

Includes how we work to protect our environment

Countryside, farming and open spaces

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

Local land charges

Including local land charge searches and highways land charge searches

Pages in Biodiversity and planning

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, to help unlock development in Somerset

Biodiversity Net Gain

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

Biodiversity Net Gain Habitat Banks

Information how Habitat Banks in Somerset support Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

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

Pages in Countryside, farming and open spaces

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

Open space, sport and recreation study geographical data

Information on the data sources for this study

Book an appointment to view the commons register

Includes information regarding viewing the commons register

Greenspace mapping and audit

Audit that provides a catalogue of greenspaces in the towns, villages and hamlets of the District

Open spaces assessment

Includes information on built facilities and playing pitch strategy, as well as supplementary planning documents

Pages in Local land charges

Local Land Charge and Highway Search

Information about property or land and highways in Somerset

Personal searches of the Land Charges Register in South Somerset

Perform searches online using our map based search facility

Street naming and numbering

Includes information about how to name or number a new building or street or rename an existing property or street

Conservation and sustainability

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

Somerset self-build and custom house building

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

Pages in Street naming and numbering

Street naming and numbering management

We manage the naming of streets and the numbering or naming of residential and business properties within a street

Street nameplates and furniture

We are responsible for ensuring that street nameplates are provided and fitted in suitable positions

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

Pages in Conservation and sustainability

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

Heritage at risk

We are dedicated to preserving our heritage for current and future generations to enjoy

Somerset’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Somerset’s Nature Recovery Strategy sets out how we will restore nature, support wildlife, and tackle climate change across the county

Properties or land for sale

Up-to-date information on properties and land for sale

Council property and land

Includes our Asset Register and property information

Pages in Council property and land

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