Somerset’s Local Plan, guiding development, is delayed until 2029 due to housing targets and nutrient issues.
Somerset Council took over old Local Plans when it started on April 1. They can still make decisions using these old plans. The council had hoped for a new plan by March 2028, but the government wanted them to create a unitary authority.
Now, the council says the plan will be ready by March 2029 and will use older plans longer. This aims to prevent unplanned development. The new plan covers all of Somerset, combining several existing plans into one.
The new plan merges the Mendip Local Plan parts one and two, as well as the Sedgemoor Local Plan. The Taunton Deane Core Strategy is also included, along with the West Somerset Local Plan. The South Somerset Local Plan and Somerset Mineral Plan become part of it, with finally including the Somerset Waste Core Strategy.
The Exmoor National Park has its own Local Plan, so it won’t be part of this Somerset plan. An inspector will approve the new plan after reviews and a public inquiry. Until then, existing plans are the law.
Some parts of the old plans matter less now especially if an area lacks enough housing land and they must show a five-year supply of land. Without enough land, some developments might get approved even if they break other rules to provide enough housing.
The council struggles to find enough housing land. The government wants 1.5 million new homes which increases housing targets for the council. Developers need to fix phosphate issues to prevent damage to the Levels and Moors.
The council announced the new timeline at a planning committee meeting in Taunton on February 11. They started gathering data in April 2023 and created a consultation plan called ‘statement of community involvement.’ People can give input while the new plan gets made.
The council will gather more data until this year’s end and will talk with key people early. Then, they’ll share a draft Local Plan in April 2026 for people to comment on. The council will use this input and publish the final draft in October 2027, then send it to the inspector after more feedback planned for January 2028.
The inspector reviews the plan by February 2029 and may hold public hearings. Residents can argue to change parts of it. The inspector publishes their final report in February 2029, with the council then approving the Local Plan to become official by March 2029.
A council member, Mike Rigby, spoke about the delays, mentioning both housing targets and nutrient issues. He said the council tries to move as fast as possible and they aim to have a good plan for making decisions.
The Mendip Local Plan Part II caused some delay. A court case required updating it and they sent the updated plan in September 2024. The council expects it to be ready by July.
The council warned about more possible delays. These include changes from the government and phosphate rules. Staff are working many big projects too.