Somerset Council is taking urgent action to tackle a significant backlog in its planning system, which has grown since the formation of the new unitary authority in April 2023. The surge in planning applications has outpaced officer capacity, causing delays and prompting the council to implement emergency measures designed to expedite decisions and reduce delays.
Under the new protocols effective from July 28, applicants and councillors will no longer be able to request status updates on applications. Planning officers will limit their participation to meetings that directly contribute to reducing the backlog, and amendments to applications will only be accepted under specific conditions. Site visits will be curtailed, granting applicants just one opportunity to submit additional information within 14 days after being requested.
Moreover, councillors will face stricter requirements to bring applications before planning committees. New applications will undergo “triage” to prioritize and speed up the review process. The council cited the ongoing use of multiple IT systems—more than two years after the district and county councils merged—as a contributing factor to the backlog.
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Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning, and assets, acknowledged the complexity of the problem and emphasized that these measures are part of a critical phase in the council’s broader transformation program. He highlighted a 12-week review timeline after which longer-term strategies will be developed. Rigby stressed that while the actions might affect residents temporarily, they aim to establish a more manageable workload, improve staff working conditions, and enhance service quality.
Despite these intentions, the Conservative opposition criticised the council’s response as a “clear admission of failure,” expressing concerns about diminishing democratic involvement and community input. Councillor Diogo Rodrigues condemned the reduced role of planning committees and warned that parish councils and residents could struggle to engage with the planning process. Rodrigues also raised concerns that planning enforcement might suffer as officers prioritize clearing applications over enforcement duties.
Rodrigues accused the Liberal Democrat administration of political mismanagement, citing failures in integrating IT systems, recruiting planners, and addressing the backlog effectively. He described the situation as a critical failure needing accountability.
The council will consider further long-term reforms to Somerset’s planning services as part of its ongoing transformation efforts, having already realized £34 million in savings from the first phase. The next phase is scheduled for discussion by the corporate and resources scrutiny committee on July 30 in Taunton.