PLANNING
The Parish Council is automatically advised/consulted by Somerset Council on planning matters that arise within the parish or close to its boundaries. This range varies from notification of proposed tree surgery in the conservation area right through to major industrial or housing developments. It should be noted that the Parish Council doesn't necessarily have much control over the final outcome, but can provide a focus point for local opinion. It is also perfectly possible and encouraged for villagers to find and view documents relating to ongoing applications on the Somerset Council website and make their own comments directly, though it is helpful if they also make their views know to the Parish Council
Somerset Council Website link (Use "Lopen" as search term and bear in mind that the applications remain in the order they are first loaded, so in some cases live applications may be several pages back!)
Current major applications
Outline application for the erection of 9 dwellings including the creation of a new access point and the demolition of existing buildings with all matters reserved except access.
This is a proposed greenfield development on land east of Holloway, just north of Mill Lane.
This first appeared in late 2020, attracted alot of opposition and then sat in the background delayed by first Covid and then the Somerset Levels phosphate pollution saga. It was finally refused by SC late in 2024.
However, the developer has recently lodged an appeal against this decision. Those of you who have previously commented should have had direct notification of this by post or email. A link to the copy of the letter is below.
Also a link to all the documents on the SC website (note that many, even most of the "appeal" documents are copies of the original application documents so the list isn't quite as daunting as first appears!)
Also linked are some key documents (not exhaustive!)
The deadline for comments to the Planning Inspectorate is 30th April 2025
Comments, positive or negative, can be submitted online or by post and must be submitted direct to the Planning Inspectorate, not Somerset Council. Please see the notification letter for details. Link below
https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?caseid=3362623
You may also comment to the Parish Council and these comments should be submitted by 26th April at the latest, ahead of the council meeting on the 28th April.