The draft Neighbourhood Plan.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government’s planning policies for England and how these should be applied. It provides a framework within which locally-prepared plans can provide for housing and other development in a sustainable manner. The NPPF was re-issued in August 2026.

Mendip Local Plan (2006-2029) Part I: Strategy and Policies, December 2014
Mendip Local Plan (2006-2029) Part II: Sites and Policies, December 2021 – Post JR Version
Mendip Local Plan (2006-2029) Part II: Sites and Policies Limited Update, Submission Version June 2024
Mendip Local Plan (2006-2029) Part II Limited Update, Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report, Submission Version June 2024

The study includes a district wide description of the landscape in terms of the underlying geology, and topography, archaeology and historic landscapes, patterns of vegetation, agriculture and habitat along with modern land use, development and infrastructure. Within this section the emerging pattern of renewable energy developments across the district is mapped and discussed.

The Beckington Conservation Area was first designated in 1973 by Somerset County Council. Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 imposes a duty on Local Planning Authorities to determine from time to time which parts of their area are ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’ and to designate these areas as conservation areas.

A neighbourhood plan's vision is an aspirational, overarching statement about the community's desired future, while objectives are specific, actionable steps derived from that vision to address key issues such as housing, environment or transport. The vision sets the overall tone and direction, and the objectives provide the clear, measurable goals needed to achieve it over the plan's lifespan. 

Results from Neighbourhood Plan Launch Consultation Exercises conducted on 14 March 2024.
 

A copy of the residents' survey form delivered to all households in March 2024.

A copy of the survey results, delivered to all households.

A longer, more detailed summary of the survey results. 

A summary of the survey results for Rudge. 

A Housing Needs Assessment report produced in June 2024 by AECOM on behalf of Locality. 

A report produced in August 2024 by AECOM to inform the design policies of the Neighbourhood Plan. It contains contextual information and guidance and codes, which demonstrate how development may reflect the policies of the Neighbourhood Plan.

As part of the Neighbourhood Plan process, a Call for Sites exercise was conducted by independent planning consultants Brodie Planning Associates to identify and assess sites for potential development if required. Assessments for 13 sites were provided to the NPSG on 24 January 2025 and were formally adopted by the Steering Group at its meeting on 10 February 2025.

A copy of the housing site survey delivered to all households in March 2025

Results of the Housing Sites Survey

Version 11 (November 2026) of the draft Housing Background Paper; a living document providing background information housing in Beckington drawn from a number of sources.

Appendix 1 containing the detailed Site Assessments conducted in 2025 and 2026

A report by Georgina Harvey, a chartered landscape architect, who was commissioned to record the existing landscape character and analyse its value, so that suitable policies can be developed for the Neighbourhood Plan. (updated Oct 2026)

 This report by Open Plan Consultants Limited assesses open areas in Beckington for potential designation as Local Green Space (LGS) in the Beckington Neighbourhood Plan, in accordance with guidance and criteria set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2024). Each site has been evaluated against national criteria, local context, and evidence of community value. The report also describes the community consultation process and outcomes. 

 This report by Open Plan Consultants Limited identifies and assesses the most significant views and viewpoints that are valued by the community.

Detailed assessments of the six views considered in the report.

 A Character Assessment is a document that describes the distinct appearance and feel of an area. It is used to identify recognisable patterns of elements or characteristics that make one place different from another. This Character Assessment of Beckington is based on the guidelines published by Planning Aid England: a professional planning organisation and part of the Royal Town Planning Institute. It aims to provide a qualitative and visual counterbalance to the factual data gathered through the Neighbourhood Plan resident 2024 Survey as well as Site Assessment Work carried out during 2024 to 2025. To Follow.

The detail of each character area. To Follow.

This document provides a record of the consultations which have taken place during the preparatory stages of the Neighbourhood Plan, as well as an account of how the main issues and concerns emerging from these consultations have been considered and addressed.

AECOM was appointed by Locality to undertake the appropriate assessment component of a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) for the Draft Beckington Neighbourhood Plan. This is to inform the planning group and Somerset Council of the potential effects of the Plan development on Habitats sites (Previously “European sites”) and how they are being or should

be addressed in the draft plan. 

AECOM was commissioned to lead on SEA in support of the emerging Beckington Neighbourhood Plan. SEA is a required process for considering and communicating the likely effects of an emerging plan, and alternatives, with a view to avoiding and mitigating potential negative effects and maximising positive effects. 

The Conditions Statement explains how the plan meets the requirements of paragraph 8 of Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This statement sets out the way in which the Beckington Parish Neighbourhood Plan meets the basic conditions set out in the Regulations.