Planning

Jump to recent Planning Applications

NEW! Find applications from 2023 on a map of the village
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IF YOU ARE MAKING A PLANNING APPLICATION

If you are thinking of submitting a planning application please visit the Government’s Planning Portal. This interactive guide gives information and advice on planning and building regulations and you can find links to application forms etc. You can also find information from Somerset Council here.

Please note that if you live in a Listed Building or in the Conservation area you will almost always need planning permission and should contact Somerset Council.

You are advised to speak to your neighbours at an early stage, to let them know what you intend to do – it is easier to iron out problems before you make your application than to have it refused because of objections later on.

ROLE OF THE PARISH COUNCIL IN PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The Parish Council are notified of all planning applications (other than those which are covered by permitted development) and is normally given 21 days to comment on applications. Please note that the final decision rests with Somerset Council and they are not bound to accept the Parish Council’s recommendations.

Applications are usually considered at the regular Parish Council meeting but on some occasions a separate Planning Committee meeting may be held.

All members of the Parish Council sit on the Planning Committee. This is to ensure that there are sufficient members available who have no personal or financial interests in an application. All such meetings are open to the public. Details of meetings are posted on the village notice boards and this website in the usual way.

A few minor applications are considered by e-mail consultation among Councillors – this is usually for maintenance work to trees in the Conservation Area.

A Parish Councillor will usually make a site visit (with at least one other Councillor where possible) before the meeting and, (if (s)he feels it is necessary), will try to contact neighbouring residents.

The Parish Council will take into account the report from the Councillor who made the site visit and will note any comments or objections from residents. The Parish Council will then consider their formal response to the application.

In commenting on planning applications the Parish Council can only consider relevant planning issues. Valid planning grounds include:

• Traffic Generation and Road Safety;
• The impact of the building on its neighbours, for example through overshadowing, overlooking, loss of privacy;
• The scale of development;
• Effect on Landscape;
• Compliance with national, regional and local planning policy and guidance;
• The impact upon the character and appearance of the area or street including the appropriateness of design, materials, landscaping, etc;
• Other environmental issues, such as noise.

The following are not valid grounds on which the Parish Council may object to an application:

• Impact of development on property values and other personal interests;
• The potential for disruption during construction;
• Maintenance of a view from a private property;
• Civil matters such as ownership;
• Private rights of way and restrictive covenants;
• Private property rights such as boundary or access disputes;
• The fact that the development may have already begun;
• Possible future development not included in the application;
• The morals or motives of the developer;

If the Parish Council recommends an application is granted consent, they may also suggest limitations or conditions that should be imposed, though again, Somerset Council are not bound to accept them.

The Parish Council is not consulted on road works or road closures.

COMMENTING ON A PLANNING APPLICATION

You can send your comments on an application direct to Somerset Council through the Somerset Council Planning Online site. This includes applications that were dealt with Sedgemoor District Council before 1 April 2023.

It is helpful if you copy your comments to the Clerk (clerk@netherstowey-pc.gov.uk) who will ensure that Councillors are aware of your views before they decide on the Parish Council’s formal response. Comments must be received by the noon on the day before the meeting to be certain Councillors have time to see them. Comments received after this will be too late to be considered. You can, of course, make your comments in person at the meeting at which the application is considered.

RECENT PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Below are details of the latest few planning applications which have been notified to the Parish Council for comment. Applications are not always received in reference number order. Some applications are not pursued and some do not require consultation. The Parish Council may choose not to comment on an application.

Where the Parish Council has not yet commented the applications will be considered at the meeting on the date shown – where the meeting has been held, the Parish Council’s recommendation is shown – this is changed to Somerset Council’s final decision when it is known.

The full application documentation can be viewed online at Somerset Council’s planning site at Planning Online and entering the application reference number (eg 36/23/00099) and you can send comments directly by following the link to the Planning Comments page. Alternatively you can send a letter to:

Planning – North Team
Somerset Council
Bridgwater House, Bridgwater, TA6 3AR.

You can also view the applications at the Parish Office by appointment – copies can be printed (a charge is payable).

A full list of applications for 2023 is available here. For previous years see below.

INTERACTIVE MAP