The government has moved towards localised planning application fees. This will allow Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to determine their own planning charges - subject to strict cost recovery limits.

Sedgemoor is the latest area of Somerset to declare housing land supply figures are now at critical levels. This means the authorities will be required to grant planning permission unless a proposal unacceptably affects certain protected areas or assets, or where the harms ‘significantly and demonstrably’ outweigh the benefits.