The landscape of Somerset is evolving. With the recent publication of Somerset Council’s Interim Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) Report in June 2026, the blueprint for the county's development over the coming decades is beginning to take shape.
Alongside this crucial evidence base, the Council has officially re-opened its Call for Sites on a rolling basis. For landowners, developers, and local communities, this represents a significant window of opportunity. But what exactly do these technical planning terms mean, and how can thoughtful architectural design elevate a site from a mere plot of land to a viable, thriving future community?
At Tandem Architects, we believe that proactive placemaking starts long before a planning application is ever submitted. Here is our guide to understanding the HELAA, the rolling Call for Sites, and how to present your land in the best possible light.
Understanding the HELAA and the Local Plan
The HELAA is essentially a high-level technical audit. Following the initial Call for Sites in early 2025, the Council assessed over 1,600 submissions to determine which parcels of land across Somerset might be suitable to meet future housing, commercial, employment, and community needs up to the year 2045.
It is important to note that inclusion in the HELAA does not grant planning permission, nor does it guarantee a site will be allocated in the final Somerset Local Plan. Instead, it filters sites based on three core criteria:
Suitability: Is the site located in a sustainable area, free from insurmountable environmental or heritage constraints?
Availability: Is the landowner willing and able to bring the site forward for development?
Achievability: Is the development economically viable, considering current market factors and infrastructure requirements?
The best outcome a site can achieve at this stage is being deemed "potentially suitable". This is exactly where a strategic, design-led approach becomes invaluable.
The Rolling Call for Sites: A Window of Opportunity
Because planning is a dynamic process, Somerset Council has sensibly re-opened the Call for Sites. Submissions made now will be held on record and evaluated for the next iteration of the HELAA, anticipated in Autumn 2027.
Whether you own a redundant agricultural barn, a parcel of edge-of-settlement land, or an under-utilised commercial brownfield site, the Council is actively seeking land to fulfil the Government's housing targets and drive local economic growth.
"A successful site submission requires more than just drawing a red line on an Ordnance Survey map; it requires a compelling, deliverable vision."
Why Architectural Input Matters at the Submission Stage
When promoting land to the Council, demonstrating that a site is not only available but capable of delivering high-quality, sustainable development is vital. Somerset has specific, complex planning nuances—such as stringent phosphate mitigation requirements and mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)—which must be factored into any serious land promotion.
