Planning permission in Somerset

In the last 12 months, 88.1% of home project applications were approved in Somerset (176 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 54 days).

Across all application types, 89.6% of 3,684 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Somerset's public planning register. Data last updated: 12 July 2026.

4,421Total applications

3,684Decided

89.6%Approval rate (of decided)

3,300 Approved+384 Refused+201 Withdrawn+79 Pending+457 Outcome not determined=4,421 Total

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By Development Category

All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	872	845	27	96.9%
Protected tree works (TPO)	642	631	11	98.3%
Full planning applications	614	492	122	80.1%
Discharging planning conditions	540	512	28	94.8%
Listed Building Consent	320	270	50	84.4%
Prior approval (permitted development)	150	126	24	84.0%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	147	128	19	87.1%
Change of Use	123	67	56	54.5%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	91	81	10	89.0%
Advertisement Consent	57	54	3	94.7%
Outline Planning	32	10	22	31.2%
Other*	96	84	12	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (16), Prior App Inst/Alt/Rep Solar on Non-Dom (16), Environmental impact screening and scoping (12), Overhead Electricity Lines (12), Permission In Principle (10), Hedgerow Removal (9), Modification/Discharge S106 Agreement (7), Phone masts and telecoms (6), Demolition (4), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (2), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (2).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

Quarter	Decided	Approved	Approval rate
Q3 2023	148	141	95.3%
Q4 2023	279	267	95.7%
Q1 2024	291	267	91.8%
Q2 2024	318	292	91.8%
Q3 2024	355	329	92.7%
Q4 2024	283	260	91.9%
Q1 2025	273	241	88.3%
Q2 2025	260	232	89.2%
Q3 2025	412	347	84.2%
Q4 2025	365	295	80.8%
Q1 2026	283	235	83.0%
Q2 2026	31	29	93.5%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 18 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 84.5% in Mendip West Division to 94.2% in Glastonbury Division, a gap of 9.7 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Mendip Central And East Division	546	475	71	87.0%
Mendip South Division	530	472	58	89.1%
Mendip Hills Division	402	355	47	88.3%
Mendip West Division	375	317	58	84.5%
Frome North Division	344	318	26	92.4%
Wells Division	312	280	32	89.7%
Frome West Division	304	284	20	93.4%
Frome East Division	238	215	23	90.3%
Shepton Mallet Division	222	201	21	90.5%
Glastonbury Division	191	180	11	94.2%
Street Division	154	140	14	90.9%
Croscombe And Pilton (Historic)	9	8	1	sample too small

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Somerset?

In the last 12 months, 88.1% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Somerset, based on 176 decided applications. Across all application types, 89.6% of 3,684 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Somerset?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Somerset in the last 12 months was 54 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Somerset?

It depends on the project and the property. Many home projects fall under permitted development rights, but constraints such as conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 directions change what needs permission at a specific address. See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.

Do I need a planning consultant in Somerset?

Many home projects do not need one. A straightforward extension on an unconstrained property is often handled directly with the council, or with an architect or agent preparing the drawings. A consultant is more likely to earn their fee where the site is constrained, the council has refused similar schemes, or an appeal is in prospect. Understanding your property's constraints and the council's recent decisions first makes any conversation with a professional a better-informed one.

Planning guides

Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights, Article 4 directions and planning costs.

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