First: Have You Actually Seen The Plans?
Don’t get carried away with hearsay! Make sure you have a look at the planning application yourself and work out how it will affect you. If you think it will spoil the countryside then you might want to oppose it. On the other hand, it could be something that you wish to actively support - such as the provision of much needed affordable housing to keep villages alive or expanding a village post office to keep it viable.
Second: Have you spoken to the relevant Planning Officer?
Each planning application has a Case Officer assigned to it. Get in touch with them, ask what is happening with the application and how and when you can oppose or support the plans. Contact details will be on the planning application.
Third: Do you need more information on how the planning system works?
Have a look at our Planning Help website for up-to-date advice or read our useful booklets on the planning system and how to deal with planning applications.
Take a look at your Local Plan. This sets out the guidelines your local authority has set for development in your area. Does the development you're concerned contradict the standards and priorities established in your Local Plan?
If you have particular concerns, contact your local councillor or MP. WriteToThem is a website that tells you who your local representatives are and can provide you with useful contact details.
Fourth: Spread the word
Contact your friends. If you're good at social media, use Twitter and Facebook. Write to your local newspaper.
Fifth: Join us!
Together we can protect Somerset's unique countryside. The more members we have, the louder our voice.
Still Stuck? If you need further help and advice, then contact CPRE Somerset. We do not have a manned office but you can leave a message or send an email and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
We are a charity and we have limited time and resources so we can only get involved in cases that fit the following criteria:
- Is the case consistent with our priorities?
- Do we have the necessary expertise to make an effective and constructive intervention? Is this something that other organisations are better placed to tackle?
- Will the case affect a handful of people or does it have a wider spatial impact (will it be seen by lots of people or have a significant visual impact on a landscape?) or a wider policy impact (will it set a precedent?)
