Planning considerations for parking and highways
Somerset County Council, based in Taunton, is the highway authority for Somerset.
The District Councils’ are the Planning Authorities for their respective areas relying on advice and guidance from the Highway Authority in reaching determinations on planning applications.
Somerset County Council as the highway authority has responsibility for all road maintenance including potholes, improvement works, road closures, signs and road markings, street-lighting and public transport. They also produce Somerset's transport and parking strategies.
To assist further, SSDC has introduced helpful guidance to ensure applicants and agents submit the necessary information with regards to access, parking and turning matters. High numbers of applications are delayed because they do not contain the necessary information despite many agents having been asked to submit such information on previous applications. By highlighting and frontloading this information agents can quote for this work, preventing delays, cost for the client and embarrassment for the agent if it were otherwise requested during the application process.
For more information on these topics, visit Somerset County Council.
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How much parking do I need to provide?
Guidance on this is provided by Somerset County Council as the highway authority.
The South Somerset Local Plan (Policy TA6) sets out that the requirements for residential and non-residential parking should be as prescribed in the Somerset County Council Parking Strategy (2013).
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What sightlines or visibility splays do I need to provide from a new/modified access?
Guidance on this is provided by Somerset County Council as the highway authority.
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How do I apply to drop a kerb outside my house?
A new access may need planning permission. You can find out more information about altering the access to your property on our website.
Separate permission is also needed from the highway authority (Somerset County Council). You can find guidance on this on their website or by emailing countyroads-southsom@somerset.gov.uk.
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Who can I contact about a road/driveway obstruction?
We are unable to assist in these matters. Somerset County Council are not able to take any action against parked vehicles which are causing an obstruction where no parking restriction applies. These vehicles can only be dealt with by the police, who should be contacted using their non-emergency phone number, 101.
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What is a Traffic Regulation Order?
Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) are legal documents to allow the police or local authorities to enforce road restrictions. They are enforced by Somerset County Council and more information about TROs can be found on their website.
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What is a Travel Plan?
Guidance on this is provided by Somerset County Council as the highway authority. The South Somerset Local Plan (Policy TA4) sets out that the requirements for residential and non-residential travel plans which would be agreed and monitored by Somerset County Council.
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Who adopts new roads?
Somerset County Council as the highway authority will typically adopt new roads after they are completed by developers. SCC then has responsibility for all road maintenance.
To check if a road has been adopted, visit their website.