Somerset - 5 unit residential scheme

Key Skills: Outline Planning Permission

Pre-application advice

Bat Consultation Area

National Landscape

5 year housing supply

Category: Planning Permission

LPA: Somerset Council

The Project

This site was only partially located within the village settlement boundary and was subject to a number of significant constraints, including part being within a National Landscape, proximity to priority habitat woodland, location within a bat consultation zone and the presence of several mature trees.

Following submission of a pre-application enquiry, Somerset Council provided positive advice in principle. An outline planning application was subsequently prepared and submitted, supported by ecological assessments, bat and badger surveys, arboricultural information, Biodiversity Net Gain documentation and a comprehensive Planning Statement.

Despite the positive pre-application response, the Council ultimately reached a different conclusion when determining the application and planning permission was refused. However, the work undertaken successfully addressed a number of concerns during the process and reduced the number of reasons for refusal, demonstrating the value of a robust evidence-led approach on a challenging site.