How many planning applications has Somerset Council received?

Somerset Council received 3,530 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 89%.

How long does Somerset Council take to decide applications?

Somerset Council takes an average of 43 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 Somerset Council?

Somerset Council approves 89% of planning applications, compared to a national average of approximately 87%.

How do I object to a planning application in Somerset Council?

Submit your representation to Somerset Council during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from when the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the Somerset Council planning portal.

Can I appeal a Somerset Council planning decision?

Yes. If Somerset Council refuses your application, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 2437 appeals were lodged against Somerset Council decisions in the last 24 months, with a 30% success rate.

Somerset Council Planning Applications

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

Region: South West

About Somerset Council

Somerset Council, formerly Somerset County Council until April 1, 2023, serves as the unitary authority for the Somerset district in the South West of England. Governed by the Liberal Democrats since the 2022 local elections, the council operates from its headquarters at County Hall in Taunton, making it a key resource for anyone researching planning applications in the area.

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to Somerset Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Somerset Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in 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 013E

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 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 Somerset Council based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in Somerset Council

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

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the Somerset Council area.

Monitoring Stations

5 flood monitoring stations near Somerset Council.

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

A brief summary of Somerset Council

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

The 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 178 designated conservation areas within the 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: Butleigh, Chewton Mendip, Croscombe, Doulting, East Pennard, Evercreech, Litton, Mendip Hospital, Pilton, Shepton Mallet, and 168 more.

Ecology & Nature Designations

The 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 Somerset Council Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for Somerset Council. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the Somerset Council area. Unlike the official 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 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 Somerset Council.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 3,530 planning applications Somerset Council received. Of these, 89% were approved, with an average decision time of 43 days.

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

The average decision time of 43 days is within the government's 8-week statutory target for minor applications, indicating an efficient planning department.

The most common application types in Somerset Council were full planning applications (1,214), discharge of conditions (566), tree works (550). Full planning applications account for 34% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.

In terms of development scale, 70 large-scale (major) developments, 113 medium-scale applications, 3,346 smaller schemes were submitted. The high volume of major applications indicates significant development pressure in the area, which may interest property developers and investors.

2,437 planning appeals were lodged against Somerset Council decisions, of which 585 were allowed and 1,391 were dismissed (30% success rate).

Application Outcomes

Approved: 1,569 applications
Refused: 116 applications
Withdrawn: 81 applications
Awaiting decision: 1,764 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.