Somerset residents are being invited to have their say on the new Somerset Council’s approach to planning matters.

The five current Somerset councils (Mendip District Council, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset County Council, Somerset West and Taunton Council and South Somerset District Council) are consulting the public on the new Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). It will set out how Somerset Council will involve communities, organisations and other interested parties in the planning process.

It will call who the Council will consult with through the various stages of Local Plan preparation and what consultation methods should be used. It will also include how the Council involves people and organisations when assessing and deciding on planning applications for new developments, and any expectations for developers and agents when engaging with those who may be affected.

The consultation will run until Thursday 16 March 2023.

To view the current draft of the new Statement of Community Involvement and complete the survey, please visit somerset.inconsult.uk/sci/consultationHome