Somerset Council Call for Sites

The Somerset Council ‘Call for Sites’ opened in January and will run until Monday 24 February 2025.

This presents an important opportunity to submit sites for consideration for future development.

Shaping development across Somerset to 2040

Somerset Council is a unitary authority formed in 2023 bringing together four district councils in Somerset (Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton, and South Somerset) alongside the services provided by Somerset County Council.

One of the main priorities of the new authority is to create a new single Local Development Scheme for Somerset to guide the local policies for development and to determine what the land requirements are to meet the development needs of the county.

The Call for Sites process is a crucial exercise that will help to establish the land supply required to deliver the development priorities that will be identified by the creation of the new Somerset Local Plan.

Submitting a site for consideration for allocation at this stage is an important initial step in the planning process. While it does not guarantee planning approval will be granted for a site, it does help increase the probability of a future planning consent.

Site proposals of varying types and scales

Sites for a range of uses will be considered – including those for residential or commercial development, renewable energy schemes or for recreational purposes. Multi or mixed-use sites can also be submitted, and sites of varying scales – from smaller ‘infill’ options to strategic proposals.

Further information can be found on the Somerset Council website here.

Allocation in rural areas

Rural Solutions have extensive knowledge on the process of submitting sites in rural areas for allocation in Local Plans. Our team have provided advice and guidance to clients across the country, helping them to achieve successful allocations for different types of end use. This ranges from housing at a strategic scale, to mixed-use and commercial developments.

Get in touch

For more information and advice in relation to the Local Plan making process and the Call for Sites please contact the team by emailing planning@ruralsolutions.co.uk or calling 01756 797501.