How many planning applications has Bath and North East Somerset Council received?

Bath and North East Somerset Council received 3,053 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 90%.

How long does Bath and North East Somerset Council take to decide planning applications?

Bath and North East Somerset Council takes an average of 64 days to decide planning applications. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for householder and minor applications, and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate for Bath and North East Somerset Council?

Bath and North East Somerset Council approves 90% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I object to a planning application in Bath and North East Somerset Council?

To object to a Bath and North East Somerset Council planning application, you must submit your representation to Bath and North East Somerset Council during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from the date the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows you the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the Bath and North East Somerset Council planning portal where objections can be submitted.

Can I appeal a Bath and North East Somerset Council planning decision?

Yes. If Bath and North East Somerset Council refuses your planning application, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 771 appeals were lodged against Bath and North East Somerset Council decisions in the last 24 months, with a 27% success rate.

Bath and North East Somerset Council Planning Applications

Q: How do I search Bath and North East Somerset Council planning applications?

You can search Bath and North East Somerset Council planning applications by postcode on Planning Signal. Enter any postcode in the Bath and North East Somerset Council area to see all nearby applications, filter by type, and track decisions in real time.

Search and explore Bath and North East Somerset Council planning applications. Planning Signal is your free alternative to the Bath and North East Somerset Council planning portal — search all recent applications, track decisions, and get alerts on new developments in the area.

Region: South West

About Bath and North East Somerset Council

Governance

Leader: Kevin Guy (Liberal Democrats), since 4 May 2021

Chair: Liz Hardman (Labour), since 22 May 2025

Chief Executive: Will Godfrey, since October 2019

Seats: 59 Councillors (term: 4 years)

Founded: 1 April 1996

Last election: 4 May 2023

Political composition: Liberal Democrat (39), Independent (9), Labour (6), Green (3), Conservative (2)

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to Bath and North East Somerset Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Bath and North East Somerset Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in Bath and North East Somerset Council mention key planning constraints like heritage, flood risk, and environmental concerns
Council Boundary Map - Interactive map showing the council boundary and application locations
Full Details - View complete application details, dates and decision status

Council Insights

Property Prices

Average property sale price: £289,209 (based on 50 recent transactions from HM Land Registry).

Area Information

Admin district: Somerset
Parliamentary constituency: Bridgwater
LSOA: Sedgemoor 014D

Crime Statistics

587 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Crime Breakdown

violent-crime: 222
anti-social-behaviour: 106
shoplifting: 93
public-order: 37
criminal-damage-arson: 33
burglary: 25
other-theft: 22
other-crime: 14
drugs: 10
robbery: 10
vehicle-crime: 9
possession-of-weapons: 3
theft-from-the-person: 2
bicycle-theft: 1

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Bath and North East Somerset Council based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in Bath and North East Somerset Council

1528 towns and villages. Click any town to search for planning applications nearby.

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the Bath and North East Somerset Council area.

Monitoring Stations

5 flood monitoring stations near Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Bitton (River Boyd)
Midford (Midford Brook)
Compton Dando (River Chew)
Keynsham, Somerdale (River Avon)
Saltford (River Avon)

A brief summary of Bath and North East Somerset Council

Bath and North East Somerset Council serves as the local authority for the Bath and North East Somerset area within Somerset, England. As a unitary authority, it combines the responsibilities of both a district and county council, streamlining local governance. Since 2017, the council has been part of the West of England Combined Authority, enhancing regional collaboration on various planning and development initiatives. The council was established in 1 April 1996. The council is currently led by Kevin Guy (Liberal Democrats). The council comprises 59 Councillors seats, with the most recent election held on 4 May 2023.

The average property sale price in the Bath and North East Somerset Council area is £289,209, based on 50 recent transactions.

The Bath and North East Somerset Council area recorded 587 crimes in the most recent reporting period. Prospective residents may wish to review the detailed crime breakdown for further context.

Conservation Areas

There are 35 designated conservation areas within the Bath and North East Somerset Council area. Planning applications within or near these areas are subject to additional scrutiny to preserve architectural and historic character. Permitted development rights may be restricted.

Conservation areas include: Monkton Combe, Newton St Loe, Pensford, Stanton Drew, Timsbury, Upper Swainswick, West Harptree, Woollard, North Stoke, Radstock, and 25 more.

Ecology & Nature Designations

The Bath and North East Somerset Council area includes 1 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB): Cotswolds. These designations may affect planning decisions, as proposals near protected sites require environmental impact assessment and may face additional restrictions.

The council area encompasses 1528 towns and villages, including Bath, Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Chard, Clevedon and Cowbridge. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search Bath and North East Somerset Council Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for Bath and North East Somerset Council. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the Bath and North East Somerset Council area. Unlike the official Bath and North East Somerset Council planning portal, Planning Signal lets you save searches, watch individual applications, and receive email alerts when decisions are made or new applications are submitted nearby.

Whether you're a resident checking Bath and North East Somerset Council planning applications near your home, a homeowner tracking your own application, or a property professional monitoring the local market, Planning Signal gives you the tools to stay informed about planning and development across Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 3,053 planning applications Bath and North East Somerset Council received. Of these, 90% were approved, with an average decision time of 64 days.

This is slightly above the national average of approximately 87%, indicating a broadly favourable planning environment in Bath and North East Somerset Council.

At 64 days on average, decisions in Bath and North East Somerset Council slightly exceed the 8-week statutory target for minor applications, though this is common across many councils.

The most common application types in Bath and North East Somerset Council were discharge of conditions (715), tree works (714), full planning applications (524).

In terms of development scale, 73 large-scale (major) developments, 499 medium-scale applications, 2,481 smaller schemes were submitted. The high volume of major applications indicates significant development pressure in the area, which may interest property developers and investors.

771 planning appeals were lodged against Bath and North East Somerset Council decisions, of which 180 were allowed and 493 were dismissed (27% success rate).

Application Outcomes

Approved: 1,586 applications
Refused: 69 applications
Withdrawn: 98 applications
Awaiting decision: 1,300 applications

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.