Somerset includes Taunton, Yeovil, and Bridgwater. About 0.2% of the county is Green Belt, affecting only minor edges. Known for historic towns, rural villages, and scenic landscapes, planning focuses on residential, commercial, and conversion projects while balancing conservation.
In the last year Somerset decided 3,851 applications which is well above the national average of 988. The approval rate was 89% (roughly equal to the national average of 88%) and 58% of applications were decided on time, (on par with the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Somerset performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
0.2% of Somerset is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to reasonable levels of scrutiny.
The Somerset Green Belt protects key villages and towns such as Frome, Glastonbury, and Shepton Mallet, preserving the Mendip Hills’ rolling landscapes, historic parklands, and river valleys, which are particularly sensitive to development pressure and prevent coalescence between settlements across the rural Somerset countryside.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
Somerset includes the Mendip Hills, Exmoor fringes, and the levels and moors, where open countryside is highly sensitive to development.
One of the top reasons poorly prepared proposals in the Open Countryside are refused is that they fail to demonstrate a policy-supported need. To minimise that risk with bespoke advice contact us here.
The Somerset Levels and Moors, which cover a substantial part of the county, sit largely within Flood Zone 3 and were inundated for weeks in the winter of 2013/14, making flood risk the dominant land use planning constraint in the county.
Where constraints permit, we can develop proposals that manage flood risk thoughtfully to give applications the best chance of approval. Learn more about development risks in flood risk areas here.
Somerset is affected by multiple catchments including the Somerset Levels and Moors and River Axe, all designated as sensitive for phosphorus; phosphate neutrality is required across significant parts of the county.
Unfortunately, Nutrient Neutrality can halt development completely. If you need early-stage, project-specific advice contact us here.
Alongside acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. We advise on and prepare planning applications across a range of development types, including:
Creative architectural design is often what secures Planning Permission where standard approaches fall short. Tell us about your project.
Somerset includes Taunton, Yeovil, and Bridgwater. About 0.2% of the county is Green Belt, affecting only minor edges. Known for historic towns, rural villages, and scenic landscapes, planning focuses on residential, commercial, and conversion projects while balancing conservation.
In the last year Somerset decided 3,851 applications which is well above the national average of 988. The approval rate was 89% (roughly equal to the national average of 88%) and 58% of applications were decided on time, (on par with the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Somerset performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
0.2% of Somerset is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to reasonable levels of scrutiny.
The Somerset Green Belt protects key villages and towns such as Frome, Glastonbury, and Shepton Mallet, preserving the Mendip Hills’ rolling landscapes, historic parklands, and river valleys, which are particularly sensitive to development pressure and prevent coalescence between settlements across the rural Somerset countryside.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
Somerset includes the Mendip Hills, Exmoor fringes, and the levels and moors, where open countryside is highly sensitive to development.
One of the top reasons poorly prepared proposals in the Open Countryside are refused is that they fail to demonstrate a policy-supported need. To minimise that risk with bespoke advice contact us here.
The Somerset Levels and Moors, which cover a substantial part of the county, sit largely within Flood Zone 3 and were inundated for weeks in the winter of 2013/14, making flood risk the dominant land use planning constraint in the county.
Where constraints permit, we can develop proposals that manage flood risk thoughtfully to give applications the best chance of approval. Learn more about development risks in flood risk areas here.
Somerset is affected by multiple catchments including the Somerset Levels and Moors and River Axe, all designated as sensitive for phosphorus; phosphate neutrality is required across significant parts of the county.
Unfortunately, Nutrient Neutrality can halt development completely. If you need early-stage, project-specific advice contact us here.
Alongside acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. We advise on and prepare planning applications across a range of development types, including:
Creative architectural design is often what secures Planning Permission where standard approaches fall short. Tell us about your project.
