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 I and Part II which cover the period from 2006 to 2029.

Local Plan Part I was adopted in December 2014 and Local Plan Part II 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 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 on the Judicial Review can be found at the bottom of the page, in the Judicial Review section. The submission policies do not make revisions to the adopted Mendip Local Plans Parts I and II.

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. Following a call for sites and a district-wide review, the Council consulted on proposed housing allocations in the former Mendip area which will provide 505 dwellings by 2029. This took place from 28 February to 12 April 2024.

Examination of the Limited Update

The Council submitted the Limited Update proposals for examination on 30 September 2024 – please see the Submission Notice. For details of the progress of the examination and contact information for the Programme Officer – see the examination page.

Representations made at Publication stage (Regulation 19)

49 representations were submitted to the Limited Update.

Index of respondents

Representations can be viewed or downloaded below:

Submission Documents (Regulation 22)

The submission documents including sustainability appraisal, legal compliance and site selection evidence can be viewed or downloaded from the below folders. Printed copies can also be inspected at Council offices in Shepton Mallet.

Progress on the submission stage will be updated on this page and via the Plan-it Somerset Newsletter Sign-up.

Judicial Review – upheld 16 December 2022

Court order, Norton St Philip Parish Council v Mendip District Council (superseded by Order dated 11 March 2024)
Court judgment, Norton St Philip Parish Council v Mendip District Council

Judicial Review – dismissed 14 July 2023

Local Plan Part II Archive 2014-2020

Local Plan Part II – Sites and Policies

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Adopted Local Plans

You are now viewing information for the Mendip area