Within the published documents, web links to relevant studies and sources are provided to enable readers to understand the justification for certain statements and policy approaches.

Landscape

Strategic Landscape Appraisal of the Main Towns (October 2006) [269.02KB]

The principle objective of the work was to examine the potential for the towns to accommodate residential development.

Landscape Assessment of Mendip District (May 1997)

The assessment uses the principles of the Countryside Commission's landscape assessment methods to identify landscape character areas within the district. Eight principal character areas have been identified and are described in detail.

Landscape Assessment of the Mendip Hills (May 1996) 

This report describes and classifies the landscape of the Mendip Hills.

Landscape Assessment of the Fringes of the Towns in the Mendip District (August 1996)

This study gives an assessment of the landscape around the five towns in relation to their landscape character and development issues.

Assessment of Special Landscape Features (November 2012) [2.95MB]

The Assessment of Special Landscape Features reviews the existing designated areas and considers new ones for inclusion.

Mendip Open Space Study 2012 [3.23MB]
Technical Paper Update 2012 [784.42KB]

The intention of this study is to give a picture of what open spaces exist within the district, what type of open space they are, their quality and relative accessibility. This information has been used in the production of the Open Space Technical Paper.

Environment

Bat Consultation Zone

The Bat Consultation Zone shows areas in which Horseshoe Bats are known to be and are likely to regularly use for commuting and/or foraging and night roosting. Horseshoe Bats are an internationally protected species and under the Habitats Regulations Mendip District Council is responsible for ensuring that populations and distribution of bats are maintained at a 'favourable conservation status'.

Mendip East Bat Consultation Zone [5.88MB]
Mendip West Bat Consultation Zone [5.38MB]

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

Mendip Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (April 2008) [28.75MB]
Mendip Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (2008) Appendices [4.62MB]
Level 2 SFRA Technical Report (Wallbridge Site) [21.45MB]

This provides an overview of flood risk within Mendip and provides general guidance to the Council about locations where flood risk is a potential issue.

Mendip Biodiversity Action Plan

This study outlines which important species and habitats have been prioritised in the district for protection and enhancement.

Habitats

A Habitats Regulation Assessment is required for a plan or project which, either alone or in combination with other plans or projects, could have a significant effect on the integrity of an international site (one that forms part of the Natura 2000 network, plus Ramsar sites) and which is not directly connected with the management of the site.

Habitats Regulation Assessment - Somerset Levels & Moors International Sites [1.63MB]
Habitats Regulation Assessment - Other International Sites [4.33MB]

Recommendations were made as part of these assessments and these recommendations have been incorporated into the policies within the Local Plan Part I: Strategy & Policies.

Somerset Levels & Moors International Sites HRA Letter [109.4KB]

A specific assessment was carried out in July 2012 on the land to the West of Wells within Core Policy 10.

Habitats Regulations Assessment of Core Policy 10 - Land West of Wells [3.03MB]
Other International Sites HRA Letter [1007.27KB]