Planning Matters
The Mendip Hills AONB Unit does not have any statutory planning powers as these are held by the local planning authorities – Somerset County Council, Mendip and Sedgemoor District Councils and the Unitary Authorities of North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset. These Councils make decisions on planning applications for development within the AONB, address planning enforcement issues and adopt policies relating to local development and conservation of the AONB.
The AONB Unit role is to bring our expertise and influence to bear in seeking to protect the special qualities of the designated landscape and to work with the AONB Partnership Committee to support the local authorities in achieving the objectives of the AONB Management Plan. In particular, as the ‘voice of the protected landscape’ we aim to bring a consistent approach to planning and development issues across the whole area covered by the different local authorities.We also work at Regional and National levels as part of the ‘family’ of protected landscapes, for instance supporting campaigns run by the National Association of AONBs, lobbying MPs on issues affecting protected landscapes and the development of strategic advice and policies.
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Partnership Statements
“Fracking” – release of prospective resources of shale gas and coal bed methane PDF download (14KB)
Guidance for Referrals for Planning Applications (PDF download – 26KB)
Dark skies in the Mendip Hills AONB (PDF download – 25KB)
Planning Guidance
Horse related development (PDF download 1.6MB)
Agricultural development (PDF download 1.5MB)
Horses the Landscape and You (PDF download – 1MB)
Major Planning Issues Update
Fracking – Letter to Mendip District Council (PDF Download 16KB)
Comments on DCLG consultation on the Draft National Planning Policy Framework (PDF Download 72KB)
Weston Villages SPD – Letter to North Somerset (PDF Download 18KB)
Bridgwater to Seabank Undergrounding Workshop (PDF download 300KB)
Hydraulic Fracturing “Fracking” in the Mendip Hills Letter to John Penrose MP (PDF download 16KB)
Hydraulic Fracturing “Fracking” in the Mendip Hills Letter to Tessa Munt MP (PDF download 16KB)
Hydraulic Fracturing “Fracking” in the Mendip Hills Letter to Jacob Rees-Mogg MP (PDF download 16KB)
Strategic Planning Consultation Responses
JAN2012 Minerals Options Consultation (PDF Download 78KB)
DEC2011 Somerset Waste Core Strategy Response Form (PDF download – 80KB)
May 2011 The AONB Unit has responded online to Somerset County Council’s consultation on its Waste Core Strategy ‘Issues and Options’. The comments should be available via the Council’s website. http://www.somersetconsults.org.uk/consult.ti/Waste_planning/consultationHome
March 2011 Draft Core Strategy Response – Letter to Mendip District Council (PDF download -136KB)
February 2011 Draft Core Strategy – Letter to BANES (PDF download – 54KB)
Link between Neighbourhood Plans and Core Strategies
Neighbourhood Plans and Core Strategies (PDF download – 93KB)
Local Authorities Core Strategies Update
Local Authorities Core Strategies Update (PDF download – 84KB)
Planning Applications – commented on
Update October 2011 (PDF download – 40KB)