Solar planning consultant in Somerset.
Planning for solar farms, battery storage and commercial solar across Somerset. Led by our in-house Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI), from our base in Exeter.
Planning that knows Somerset.
One council, older local plans
Since April 2023, Somerset Council has decided planning across the county, apart from Exmoor. The old district local plans still apply until a new Somerset plan is ready, so we check which one covers your site.
Flood risk planned for
The Somerset Levels and Moors cover more than 60,000 hectares at high flood risk. We check flood zones first and plan any flood risk assessment early.
Protected hills
The Quantocks, Mendips and Blackdown Hills are National Landscapes, and Exmoor is a national park. We check your site against them before you spend on surveys.
Grid and planning together
A consent is only worth having with a grid connection. We check both at the same time, so nothing is wasted.
Planning authorities in Somerset.
Somerset Council decides most solar farms in Somerset, and Exmoor National Park Authority decides within the park. Solar farms up to 100MW are decided by the local planning authority. Larger schemes go through the national planning process, after the threshold rose from 50MW on 31 December 2025.
Planning authorities
- Somerset Council (unitary since April 2023)
- Exmoor National Park Authority
- North Somerset Council and Bath & North East Somerset Council (separate councils)
Protected landscapes
- Exmoor National Park (about two-thirds is in Somerset)
- Quantock Hills National Landscape
- Mendip Hills National Landscape
- Blackdown Hills National Landscape
- Part of Cranborne Chase National Landscape
A single new Somerset Local Plan is expected around 2029.
Know the cost up front.
The same fees across Somerset and the UK. Surveys at cost plus a management fee.
- Desktop feasibility study: solar, wind or battery
- From £650 ex VAT
- Pre-application package
- From £3,000 ex VAT
- Full planning application, up to 10MW
- Price on request
- Full planning application, 10MW to 49.9MW
- Price on request
Solar planning in Somerset: questions
Who decides a solar farm planning application in Somerset?
Somerset Council, which replaced the old district councils in April 2023, or Exmoor National Park Authority within the park. North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset have their own councils. Schemes over 100MW go through the national process.
Can you get planning for solar on the Somerset Levels?
It is harder. Land in high flood risk zones needs a flood risk assessment and a strong case. Higher, drier fields are usually a better fit. We check flood zones before anything else.
How long does solar planning take in Somerset?
Local planning authorities aim to decide major applications, which include most solar farms, within 13 weeks, or 16 weeks if an Environmental Impact Assessment is needed. Surveys and pre-application advice come first. We give you a realistic timeline for your site.
What does a solar planning consultant cost?
Most of our fees are published. A pre-application package starts from £3,000 ex VAT. Full applications are priced for each site, so contact us for a quote. Specialist surveys are charged at cost plus a management fee.
Related
- Solar planning in Devon →
- Solar planning in Cornwall →
- Solar planning in Dorset →
- Solar planning in Wiltshire →
- Solar planning in Gloucestershire →
- Solar farm land in Somerset →
- Grid consultancy →
- Guide: small ground-mount planning →
Sources: Planning Portal: 2023 council changes · Somerset Energy Investment Plan · Somerset Intelligence: designations · Somerset Intelligence: flooding · NGED: queue formation. Checked 1 October 2026.
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