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Somerset planning approval rate

Somerset council approved 98.7% of planning applications and refused 1.3%, based on 553 decisions analysed. Ranked 218th out of 221 councils for strictness.

Last updated: March 2026 · Based on decisions from January 2020 to present

98.7%
overall approval rate
553
Decisions analysed
546
Approved
7
Refused
4
Wards covered
Planning in Somerset? Check your postcode to see approval rates specific to your ward and street.

Approval rate by application type

Different application types have different approval rates in Somerset. Householder and full planning applications typically have the highest volume.

Other (553 decided)
98.7%

Approval rate by project type

These rates are based on what homeowners are actually building in Somerset — mined from 553 proposal descriptions.

Extension (General) (80 decided)
100.0%
Garage / Parking (67 decided)
100.0%
New Build (23 decided)
100.0%
Change of Use (Residential) (15 decided)
100.0%

Approval rate by ward

Planning outcomes vary significantly by ward within Somerset. Click any ward for detailed statistics.

Mendip District (219 decided)
97.3%
South Somerset District (138 decided)
99.3%
South Somerset District Council - Area South (132 decided)
100.0%
South Somerset District Council - Area East (30 decided)
100.0%

Wards in Somerset

Mendip District
97.3% approval · 219 decisions
South Somerset District
99.3% approval · 138 decisions
South Somerset District Council - Area South
100.0% approval · 132 decisions
South Somerset District Council - Area East
100.0% approval · 30 decisions

Recent comparable decisions

The most recent residential planning decisions in Somerset, showing how the council decides real applications.

SCC/4030/2022
Extension of the existing Wessex Water Hardington Mandeville Water Recycling Cen · South Somerset District · 2023-06-07
Approved
SCC/3998/2022
Change of use of land to operation Water Recycling Centre and erection of 3 no. · South Somerset District · 2022-10-20
Approved
SCC/3777/2020/Cond14
Planning Application for the extension of Blackford Hill Quarry. Details to s · South Somerset District · 2021-10-04
Approved

Showing 3 of 200 comparable decisions. See all 200 in the Pro Report →

What gets approved near your property?

In Somerset, 1 in 77 applications are refused. Your PlanningLens Pro Report gives you 17 pages of intelligence specific to your property:

✓ Ward-level approval rates for your exact area
✓ Common refusal reasons in Somerset
✓ Your 10 nearest comparable planning decisions
✓ Appeal success rates
✓ PDF report to share with your architect
Get Somerset Pro Report — £79

Less than one set of revised drawings. Based on 553 decisions.

Compare with nearby councils

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