Somerset Council’s Scoping Consultation (Regulation 20) – June to July 2026

https://www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land/somerset-local-plan/scoping-consultation-reg-20-june-to-july-2026/

SC must consult upon:

• draft Scope of the Somerset Local Plan– this proposes the broad subject matters to be covered by the policies. It does not set out what the policies will say.
• draft Local Plan Engagement Plan– this sets out how the Council proposes to engage communities, stakeholders and statutory bodies across each stage of the new plan making process
• draft Local Plan Vision and Outcomes– this sets out a positive long-term vision and early statement of ambition for Somerset. It is supported by strategic outcomes that will guide our choices about growth, development quality, infrastructure and environmental enhancement.

The new plan-making system means SC needs to produce the local plan within a 30-month period.

SC is also consulting upon:

• draft Spatial Strategy Topic Paper– this is an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and distribution of development across Somerset. It explains all the matters that SC has thought about and proposes a short list of spatial strategy options.
• draft Role and Function of Settlements Topic Paper– this document ensures that SC has a good understanding of the nature of the settlements within Somerset. With help from parish, town and city councils it gathers information on the services and facilities currently available in settlements, the population, employment opportunities and access to the transport network concluding on the relative sustainability of our settlements in the form of a settlement hierarchy.

The consultation runs from Friday 19 June to Friday 24 July 2026 and is available on the Consultation Portal:

https://somersetcouncil.citizenspace.com/planning/local-plan-scoping-consultation-2026/

Government advice is that this consultation should last for at least 21 days. SC’s consultation will run for 35 days (5 weeks).