An ambitious 88-hectare solar farm, the restoration of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s last remaining cast iron footbridge on the Great Western Railway, and the revival of three-decade-old housing plans are among the notable projects currently seeking planning permission in Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset.
These adjacent unitary authorities receive hundreds of planning applications weekly. We highlight some of the most significant proposals that showcase the region’s evolving landscape.
All planning documents are publicly accessible via the councils’ websites. While most applications are decided by planning officers, major or contentious proposals are reviewed by planning committees composed of elected councillors. Ideally, decisions are guided strictly by council planning policies, though local politics can occasionally influence outcomes.
READ MORE: Seaside Pub with Friendly Ghost Cheers to Pub of the Year Nomination
READ MORE: Somerset GP Warns Against Buying Weight Loss Drugs Online
One standout proposal is a vast solar farm at Yew Tree Farm, near Kingston Seymour in North Somerset. Spanning 88 hectares, this renewable energy project could power approximately 11,500 average households annually—surpassing the population of nearby Clevedon town.
The application highlights the benefits of solar farms as safe, locally generated, and cost-effective energy sources that can be rapidly deployed. It emphasizes that the 49.99MW development would offset around 21,500 tonnes of CO2 each year, totaling roughly 1.1 million tonnes over the project’s lifespan. This clean energy initiative aims to support the UK’s green transition by reducing reliance on foreign energy markets and closing fossil fuel power stations.
Meanwhile, Network Rail seeks listed building consent to restore Brunel’s iconic cast iron footbridge dating from 1841, located just south of Sydney Gardens in Bath. This structure is the last surviving cast iron footbridge built by Brunel along the Great Western Railway and holds significant historical value.
The bridge currently suffers from timber decay and damp issues. Repairs would include replacing the non-original timber decking with safer, non-slip surfacing, grit blasting and repainting the cast iron elements, removing invasive vegetation, and cleaning and restoring the masonry. These efforts aim to preserve a cherished heritage asset while ensuring safety for pedestrians and train enthusiasts alike.
In Midsomer Norton, long-dormant plans for four new homes within the grounds of the Old Vicarage have resurfaced. Originally refused in 1992 by Wansdyke District Council, the proposal was later approved on appeal but expired without implementation. Now submitted anew under Bath and North East Somerset Council, the application reflects a similar layout to the previously approved scheme, with access via the existing vicarage drive and gardens extending to Church Lane.
Adding to the varied applications, the Woodspring Wings Model Aeroplane Club near Yatton seeks permission to replace its aging 1970s mobile telephone exchange clubhouse with a modern container conversion. This upgraded facility will better serve club members and visitors, supporting recreational aviation activities for years to come.
These planning proposals illustrate Somerset’s balanced approach to future development—embracing renewable energy, preserving historical landmarks, accommodating thoughtful housing, and supporting community recreation.