Mendip Local Plan

Local Planning Authorities are legally required to prepare Local Plans that set policies for their areas to chosen aims and ambitions. The Mendip Local Plan prepared by Mendip District Council, adopted 1998?, sets the local policies for planning up to the year 2011.

Statutory Local Plans can be enhanced by  Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) for local areas. These documents, although they do not have the same status as the Local Plan, are able to give a more detailed advice on the development of a particular locality and will be taken into account by the local authority when making decisions on planning applications.  They are predominantly prepared by local people aimed at preserving the distinctiveness of their community and historic environment. One such document is called a Village Design Statement (VDS). Others may be termed Village Appraisal or Conservation Plan.

 

Wookey Village Appraisal & Conservation Plan

This plan shows what makes Wookey Village and surrounding area unique and is designed for the guidance of;

• District and Parish Councillors; members of the Planning Committee Members and Planning Officers

• Landowners, Planners, Architects, Developers and Builders

• Local Community Groups

• Householders, Landlords and Tenants, Businesses

It hence provides the further information and requirements that should be met when proposing building in Wookey village and ensures sufficient consideration is give to Wookey’s  history, character and local distinctiveness when considering change in the village.

This document was endorsed by Wookey Parish Council and adopted as SPG by Mendip District Council on 3^rd April 2001. Wookey Village Appraisal & Conservation Plan was compiled by local architect and resident John Winstone RIBA IHBC, with the help of many villagers, and can be viewed on this web site.

The area subject to Supplementary Planning Guidance is the area within the development limits shown in the Adopted Local Plan, plus the area proposed for conservation area status. Henton, the second largest village in the parish, to date does not have a Village Design Statement.