Somerset North Planning Area Local Validation Checklist (former Sedgemoor District Council area)

For a planning application to be considered valid, it must contain all the information necessary for us to make a fair decision and be accompanied by the correct fee.

The Local Validation Checklist – Sedgemoor (published 1 July 2022) provides guidance to help you to submit the necessary supporting information to register a valid planning application.

The checklist reflects both the national guidance on the validation of applications and the local requirements to meet adopted Local Plan policies.

To assist us with the validation and the decision-making process we request that an application is accompanied by a schedule or list of submitted documents.

Additional guidance

Flood Risk Assessment

Required for development in Flood Zone 2 and 3 or works within 8 metres of a main river. Applicants should refer to the National Flood Risk Standing Advice and Local Flood Risk Standing Advice:

• For Householder Planning Applications please download and complete the Householder Flood Risk Assessment information and form
• Flood risk assessments if you’re applying for planning permission – GOV.UK
• Preparing a flood risk assessment: standing advice – GOV.UK

Biodiversity Checklist

The Biodiversity Checklist has been produced to assist developers and their agents to assess if a Wildlife/Ecology Survey is required as part of a planning application. Please return the completed Biodiversity Checklist with your planning application.

Special Areas of Conservation for bats – Technical Guidance

There are three Special Areas of Conservation for bats:

• North Somerset and Mendip Special Area of Conservation
• Exmoor and Quantocks Special Area of Conservation
• Hestercombe House Special Area of Conservation

Guidance on the consultation zones and the implications for the location and design of development is provided in our Design and technical guidance page.

National information requirements

There are national information requirements for all types of developments.

You can view the national requirements here.

Biodiversity Net Gain

The Council has adopted specific Biodiversity Net Gain validation requirements as an addendum to existing validation checklists. These validation requirements extend beyond the national minimum requirements.

Please see the Biodiversity Net Gain page for further information.

Phosphates within Somerset

Please see the Phosphates page for more information on how phosphates may affect your application and how we will deal with it.

Mineral and Waste Applications

Local areas have local information requirements for planning applications. Please ensure that you supply all documents and plans in line with these requirements.

For a planning application to be considered valid, it must contain all the information necessary for us to make a fair decision and be accompanied by the correct fee.

Waste Planning Applications

You can use the Local Validation Checklist guidance to help you to submit the necessary supporting information to register a valid planning application.