Environment and Planning

Welcome to Mendip's Environment and Planning pages.

Please choose from the A-Z list below.

Abandoned Vehicles

We have a duty to remove a vehicle that has been abandoned on any land in the open air or the highway and recharge its owner for the removal and disposal. Abandoned vehicles are dealt with by us, however reports are regularly made to the police.

About the Planning System

This gives you an understanding about the planning system and how it translates from a national level to Mendip.

Air Quality - Review and Assessment

The national air quality targets were devised in 1997 to ensure that the public is not exposed to elevated concentrations of specified pollutants. The pollutants include: benzene (C6H6), carbon monoxide (CO), 1,3 - butadiene (C4H6), lead (Pb), NO2, PM10, SO2, and ozone (O3). If concentrations of any of these pollutants may be elevated, they will be investigated further.

Allotment

Allotment information.

Application for a Minor Amendment to a Planning Permission

This application form is required to apply for a minor amendment to a planning permission.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used for about 150 years on a large commercial scale. It is versatile, plentiful and ideal as a fire proofing and insulation material.

Building Control

Even if you already have planning consent for your building project, you will almost certainly need Building Regulation consent before you can start work.

Building Control - Dangerous Structures

A dangerous building or structure can be anything on or about a building or structure that may be a danger to members of the public, including:

Building Control - Demolitions

If you are planning to carry out demolition work you may need to let us know before you start.

Building Control - Party Wall etc. Act 1996

The Act came into force on 1st July 1997. It provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes in relation to party walls, boundary walls and excavations near neighbouring buildings.

Building Regulation Inspections

For any work done in the Mendip district for which a Building Regulation Application has been made, one of our Building Control Officers will carry out all necessary inspections on site.

Building Regulations - Apply for Approval

If you need Building Regulations consent, there are two ways of applying for it. This service will help you to understand your choices, and to start making your application.

Building Regulations - Charges

This page shows the fees chargeable for applications under the Building Regulations.

Building Regulations - Exempt Buildings

Not all building work requires a Building Regulation application. The main categories of exempt buildings and work are listed here.

Building Regulations - Regularisation Certificate

It is quite common for alterations or extensions undertaken without building regulation approval to cause difficulties when you are selling a house. However, you can now apply to building control for a Regularisation Certificate for work undertaken after 11th November 1985 which may help you with this.

Buildings at Risk

There are almost 3000 listed buildings in the Mendip District Council area. Whilst the majority are well maintained, there are buildings that are at considered to be 'at risk' through neglect or decay, or vulnerable to becoming so. The main purpose of Mendip District Council's Building at Risk Register is as a working tool, helping to illustrate the number of properties 'at risk' within the District and to keep attention focussed upon them.

Car Parks - Parking Fines/Excess Charge Notice

Mendip District Council issues parking fines/excess charge notice in car parks only and does not operate any on Street Parking Schemes.

Car Parks and Transportation

Mendip District Council has 44 car parks. Of these 9 are free, 4 are residents only, the remainder are pay & display. Charges and operating times vary between car parks.

Community Safety - Anti Social Behaviour

Mendip District Council works with a number of agencies to tackle serious Anti Social Behaviour in the district.

Conservation Areas

Advice on Conservation Areas within the Mendip District Council area.

Consultation on Mendip's Statement of Licensing Policy

Mendip must have a statement of licensing policy. It is now consulting on a draft of its second such document.

Contaminated Land

Contaminated land is land that has the potential to cause harm to humans, property or the environment because of the presence of particular substances in, on, over and under the ground or water. Development of contaminated or potentially contaminated land is controlled through the planning process.

Crime Prevention - Town Centre

Mendip District Council work with other agencies to strengthen the support of important initiatives in our major settlements and their rural hinterlands.

Current Reviews under the Licensing Act 2003

Details of any current review applications

Dead Animals on Road

We provide a free service for the removal of dead animals from all public accessible areas.

Demolition - Planning

This page will explain the planning procedures for the proposed demolition of a building or buildings.

Development Control

Development control is the part of the planning system that makes sure that all proposed development meets the requirements for that location laid down in the Development Plan. In this case the Development Plan relates to the Mendip DIstrict Local Plan and the Somerset and Exmoor National Park Joint Structure Plan Review.

Dog Warden Service

The Dog Warden will help you if you lose your dog, and works to prevent stray dogs from causing danger in traffic or a nuisance to people. In particular, the service aims to deal with problems caused by irresponsible dog ownership.

Dogs - Fouling

The Dog (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 came into force on 1st May 1997. This Act means you are legally obliged to clear up after your dog if it fouls any land which is open to the air, and to which the public have access. Remember that contact with dog excrement can lead to blindness, from an infection called Toxocara canis.

Dogs - Stray

The Council's Dog Warden Service will deal urgently with complaints about dogs straying on school premises, or interfering with the flow of traffic. Other complaints will be dealt with as quickly as possible, and always within five working days.

Draft Frome Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Proposals

Section 69 the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires local planning authorities to designate as Conservation Areas any 'areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'. The definition of an area's special interest is derived from an assessment of the elements that contribute to (and detract from) it. This assessment generally takes the form of a Conservation Area Appraisal, produced by the Local Planning Authority and then endorsed by the Planning Board as a material consideration in determining planning applications.

Draft Street Conservation Area Appraisal

Drainage - House

Mendip only has responsibility for drainage from its own property such as car parks and certain public buildings but it may assist in certain problem cases.

Drainage - Land

Watercourses come in many different types and are usually the responsibility of the owner of the land through which they flow.

East Pennard Conservation Area Appraisal

Emergency Out of Hours Services

Mendip District Council offers a emergency out of hours service after 18:00 and before 08:00 to make sure you can contact the council if you need to in an emergency.

Enforcement of Planning Control

This page will help you to understand how Mendip District Council enforces against breaches of planning control.

Environmental Health

The service aims to protect the environment and to improve the health of Mendip residents through education, inspection, monitoring and enforcement of legislation. The sections responsible for providing this service are Environmental Protection, Licensing, Public Protection and Waste and Recycling.

Food Inspections

The frequency of food inspections to a premises is based on an officers assessment of the food safety risks.

Food Poisoning

Food poisoning or more generally food-borne disease can be an unpleasant illness. Typically symptoms included vomiting, diarrohea, stomach cramps and fever.

Food Premises Registration

Registration of premises used for a food business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and other moveable structures) is required by law.

Food Safety Complaints

Food complaints will only be investigated where there is a risk to public health.

Food Safety For Food Businesses

The Council is responsible for ensuring satisfactory hygiene conditions and practices are maintained in over 1000 businesses with in the district.

Foot and Mouth

Information about Foot and Mouth Disease

Graffiti

Removal of Graffiti from Council owned property.

Grounds Maintenance - Grass Cutting

Grounds Maintenance - Grass Cutting.

Guide to Scheme of Delegation for Planning Applications

This guide sets out the process for the determination of planning applications.

Health and Safety Risk Assessments

The effective management of risk is central to providing a safe and healthy workplace. There is a legal requirement for all employers to assess the risks to their workers and any others who may be affected by their work activities.

Hedgerow Regulations

The 1997 Hedgerows Regulations control the removal of important hedgerows.

Heritage Conservation Section

The Heritage Conservation section is part of the Regeneration Service and is responsible for providing professional advice to the council's Development Control teams on listed building consent applications and on planning applications affecting listed buildings and their settings, conservation areas and historic landscapes. It also provides pre-application guidance and design advice to developers and owners of listed buildings.

Heritage Guidance

Advice on Conservation and Design Issues in the Mendip District Council Area.

Heritage Matters

This a free newsletter for all listed building owners or tenants. It is produced by South Somerset District Council and is distributed to other parts of Somerset with the help of funding from Mendip District, West Somerset District and Somerset County Councils. We hope that you find Heritage Matters interesting and useful. We intend to publish it twice a year and we welcome suggestions for topics that you would like to see covered. The latest editions of the newsletter can be downloaded from the Publications section.

High Hedges

The high hedges legislation is found within Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. Mendip District Council’s role will be to act as an impartial third party in neighbour disputes re high hedges.

Historic Buildings at Risk - Success Stories

There are almost 3000 listed buildings in the Mendip District Council area. Whilst the majority are well maintained, there are buildings that are at considered to be 'at risk' through neglect or decay, or vulnerable to becoming so. This Success Stories document highlights all of the buildings removed from the Buildings at Risk Register since 2001, many of which have been benefited from Historic Building Grant Aid from Mendip District Council.

Historic Buildings at Risk Register

Home Composting

Composters are recycled plastic bins for the garden. To help Somerset residents get started, a Home Composting Promotion has been setup - offering compost bins for as little as £8.

Household Waste Recycling Centres

Where to find your local household waste recycling centre.

How to Submit a Planning Application

This enables you to submit an application electronically through the Planning Portal or download forms to print for your own use. From 6th April 2008 these are mandatory forms and all previous forms cannot be accepted.

Infectious Diseases

Some infectious diseases not spread by the consumption of contaminated food or water are investigated by this council.

Is Planning Permission Required - Business?

This page will help you to ascertain whether or not you will need planning permission for a business-related proposal and, if you do, the procedures which then follow.

Is Planning Permission Required - Residential?

This section will help you to find out whether or not you would require planning permssion for a proposal relating to a residential property.

Land Charges

Local Land Charges provides an efficient and accurate service to Solicitors, Agents and members of the public requesting Search Applications against Residential/Commercial properties and land within Mendip.

Land Charges - Personal Search

If you want to look at the Local Land Charge Register yourself and you do not need to obtain an official search certificate, you can ask to carry out a personal search provided you pay a fee of £11 for this service.

Licences - Acupuncture, Tattooing, Ear-piercing and Electrolysis Registration

Licences for registration of persons and premises for acupuncture, tattooing, ear-piercing and electrolysis.

Licences - Hackney Carriage (Taxi)

Licensing of taxis

Licences - Personal Licence

A personal licence is required for a qualified individual to run premises where alcohol is sold.

Licences - Premises Licences

Where a premises or place is to be used for licensable activities to take place a premises licence must be in force

Licensing Act 2003

The Licensing Act 2003 received Royal Assent on 10 July 2003. It replaces the current licensing laws and came into effect on 7 February 2005 (first appointed day).

Light Pollution

In April 2006, The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 added a new section to the definition of Statutory Nuisance, to include “artificial light emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance" Specifically excluded from the Act is light emitted from premises such as goods vehicle operating centres, railway and bus stations, or prisons, where lighting is required for reasons of safety and security.

Listed Buildings

Buildings which represent the best of the nation's historic and architectural built heritage are Listed by the Department of Culture Media and Sport under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, on advice from English Heritage. Listed buildings are a finite and irreplaceable asset. The District Council has a statutory duty to ensure that Listed Buildings, their settings and any features of special architectural or historic interest which they possess are preserved.

Local Development Framework

Consultation started on the new way we will guide change in Mendip. This is your chance to be involved in how planning decisions are made.

Mendip Play Strategy

Over the past year work has been underway to develop a new play strategy for Mendip. The purpose of this strategy is to provide a framework for decisions about play for the next ten years.

Minor Amendments to Planning Permissions

This section explains the process for considering minor amendments to planning permissions.

Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water

All Bottled Waters are now regulated by The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999 as amended.

Norton St Philip Conservation Area Appraisal

Pest Control

The Council provides a service to assist the public in the control and possible extermination of pests and other wildlife as deemed necessary.

Planning

The planning system controls land development and usage. Use our Planning Applications Search facility to find out about planning applications.

Planning - Weekly List of Planning Applications Decided

This page will enable you to view lists of planning applications decided in any particular week.

Planning - Weekly List of Planning Applications Received

This page will enable you to view lists of planning applications received in any particular week.

Planning Appeals Process

If you seek consent or permission to carry out particular works to your property and your application is not decided within a set period or the local authority refuses your application or grants it on conditions you disagree with you usually have a right of appeal.

Planning Decisions

A number of levels of administration from the individual citizen to central government and the courts can become involved in deciding planning applications. However, the local planning authority alone deals with most of them.

Planning Fees From 6th April 2008

Pre-Application Advice (Planning)

In the majority of cases we offer an advisory service before you go to the expense of submitting an application.

Princes Road / Priory Road, Wells

A development company called Centros Miller are exploring ideas to redevelop land in the area of east of Priory Road and north and south of Princes Road for a mix uses including retail, leisure and bus facilities. This follows the acquisition of a number of sites in the area (by their funding partners Development Securities). The national development company has entered into a six month agreement with the Council and Tesco to progress background studies and carry out public consultation to inform the production of draft plans for further consideration.

Public Conveniences

Mendip District Council provide public conveniences in all major towns in the district.

Radon

Environmental Protection provides details of likely radon levels within buildings and advice on any remedial action that might be necessary.

Recycling - Garden Waste Collection Service

Garden Waste bins are now back in stock, to order please use the online service form.

Recycling - Garden Waste Missed Collections

Garden Waste Missed Collections.

Recycling - Kerbside Collections

The Council is now offering 100% recycling coverage for all domestic properties in the district

Recycling - New / Replacement Boxes

Recycling - New/ Replacement Recycling Boxes.

Recycling - Waste Collection Service for Food

Details about the food waste collection service operated accross the district

Refuse Collection - Bulky Waste Collection Service

If you have a large item such as a piece of furniture or a fridge that you wish to dispose of we offer a Bulky Collection Service at a small charge.

Refuse Collection - Clinical Waste Collections

The Council provides a clinical waste collection to private households.

Refuse Collection - Wheeled Bins - New or Second Bin

Provision for the provision of new or second bins

Regeneration

Regeneration aims to enhance the vitality and viability of the Mendip District area. The work includes town centre management, providing employment opportunities, bringing forward development sites, enhancing existing business opportunities in the district and promoting tourism.

Regeneration Section

The Regeneration Section provides Regeneration, Conservation and Heritage and Car Parks and Transportation.

Shepton Mallet Conservation Area Appraisal

Smokefree - Health Act 2006

From 1 July 2007, England goes Smokefree. This means that smoking will no longer be allowed in workplaces and public places that are 'enclosed' or 'substantially enclosed'. In addition the legislation will also mean that smoking will no longer be allowed on public transport or in vehicles used for work by more than one person. The reason why the law has been introduced is to protect the public and employees from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

Somerset County Council - Environment and Community Protection

Services provided by Somerset County Council.

Statement of Community Involvement

The Statement of Community Involvement sets out how the Council will involve the community, both in the preparation of the Local Development Framework (LDF) and in decisions on planning applications.

Time to Plan - Online Survey

Tree Preservation Orders

Mendip have specific powers to protect trees by making tree preservation orders, although the Forestry Commission is responsible for the control of felling generally.

Trees in Conservation Areas

This section provides information about trees in conservation areas.

Trees on Development Sites

This provides information about trees on tree develoment sites.

Village Design Statements

The Design Statements for Priddy Parish and Holcombe, endorsed by the Council in January 2006, are a material planning consideration. Their recommendations will be taken into account when assessing local planning applications.

Water Quality

A water supply can either be a Public Supply (Mains) or a Private Supply.

William Stansell Somerset Building Preservation Trust Awards 2008

The awards are aimed at raising the standards for design and construction of new buildings and for the alteration, conversion or repair of historic buildings in the County. The awards also demonstrate the positive contribution that well designed and sensitively conserved buildings make to their surroundings.

Environment and Planning

Useful Websites

Useful pages