Somerset planning enforcement review reveals 417-case workload

By Laura Linham 13th Oct 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 1 hour ago

A single planning enforcement officer in east Somerset was handling 417 outstanding cases, according to a review going before councillors this week.

Somerset Council is now considering a £475,000 overhaul of the service, including six additional officers.

The review found 1,265 live planning enforcement cases across the county, with an average workload of 169 per officer. The east Somerset figure was recorded in May 2026, and the report says workloads are significantly above recommended levels.

Planning enforcement deals with complaints about suspected unauthorised development and breaches of planning conditions. Cases can involve homes, businesses and protected sites, making the service responsible for investigating concerns about whether planning rules are being followed.

Officers are recommending that planning enforcement and minerals and waste enforcement be brought together. Their preferred option includes £270,000 for six additional officers, £100,000 for legal support and £105,000 for temporary agency staff to help tackle the backlog.

The proposed investment totals £475,000, including £370,000 in additional ongoing expenditure. The review also raises the possibility of town and parish councils becoming more involved in resolving lower-level planning breaches.

According to the report, approximately 85 per cent of reported concerns are screened out before becoming formal investigations. That figure relates to the initial assessment of complaints, separately from the live cases officers are managing.

Somerset Council's Scrutiny Committee for Climate, Environment and Place will examine the proposals at 10am on Thursday, 15 October. Councillors will be asked to comment before recommendations go to the Executive, which will consider the spending decision.