South Somerset (Local Environment Profiles 2011)

KEY FACTS

> South Somerset produced 1,332 kt of end user CO2 in 2008, the highest for a local authority in Somerset.

> Between 2005 and 2008, end user CO2 emissions decreased in South Somerset by 3%.

> South Somerset produced the fifth highest amount of Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry CO2 emissions (57 kt) for a local authority in the South West.

> South Somerset residents were responsible for a total of 8.4 tonnes of CO2 per capita in 2008. This was the second lowest in Somerset.

> Between 2005 and 2008 per capita emissions reduced by 4% in South Somerset.

> There are 43 river water bodies within South Somerset. Our latest assessment of these classified 23.2% as poor, 62.8% as moderate and 14% as good.

> South Somerset District Council had the sixth lowest amount of residual waste in the South West with 392 kg/household. This was the second lowest to be produced in Somerset

> South Somerset District Council in 2009/10 against the other South West Councils, was in the top half of the recycling league table with 41.86%.

> Somerset County Council landfilled 152,285 tonnes, which was the fourth highest amount of tonnes landfilled in the South West. This was the seventh lowest percentage landfilled (54.62%) in the South West.

> The population of South Somerset was estimated to be 158,600 in June 2010, 3.0% of the South West’s total population of 5,273,700.

> Between 2008-2033 the number of households in South Somerset are predicted to increase by 29.0% from 69,000 to 89,000. This is just below the 30% increase predicted for the Region and above the 21.1% predicted for England.

> The main population centre within South Somerset where there is risk of flooding is Yeovil.

> South Somerset one main CAMS which influence the area - the Parret, Brue and West Somerset Streams.

> In 2006, South Somerset had an eco footprint of 4.79gha. The highest and lowest in Somerset were West Somerset and Taunton Deane with 4.83 and 4.74gha respectively.

> Somerset County Council had an allocation of 99,929 tonnes and only landfilled 96,849 tonnes (96.9%) of their Biodegradable Municipal Waste.

Somerset County (showing all districts)

Act to reduce climate change and its consequences

CLIMATE CHANGE

Somerset County Council have a Climate Change Action Plan in place. Click here for more information. One of the biggest threats in Somerset is from flooding.

CARBON DIOXIDE - END USER

South Somerset produced 1,332 kt of end user CO2 in 2008, the highest for a local authority in Somerset, the lowest was West Somerset with 458 kt.
Between 2005 and 2008, end user CO2 emissions decreased in South Somerset by 3%, from 1,373kt to 1,332 kt.
The highest proportion of end user emissions in South Somerset in 2008 was Industry and Commercial, accounting for 34.8% (478 kt), followed by Domestic with 33.0% (439 kt). South Somerset produced the fifth highest amount of Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry CO2 emissions (57 kt) for a local authority in the South West region.

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CO2 Levels 2005-08: South Somerset

South Somerset residents were responsible for a total of 8.4 tonnes of CO2 per capita in 2008, 11% lower than the 9.4 tonnes average for Somerset but 7% higher than the South West average of 7.8 tonnes. This was the second lowest in Somerset, the lowest being Taunton Deane with 8.0t and highest being West Somerset with 12.9t.
Between 2005 and 2008 per capita emissions reduced by 4% in South Somerset from 8.8t to 8.4t.

Please note - we are reporting on end user CO2 emissions, which are used as the National Indictor for Sustainable Development for the UK. An alternative measure of CO2 is available from the Stockholm Institute. As the data presented is from 2008, the local authority comparisons for the South West include district authorities in Cornwall and Wiltshire which have now been replaced by Unitary Authorities.

Source: Sub-national energy consumption statistics, DECC

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

There were 73,100 domestic electricity meter points in South Somerset in 2009, 3% of the regional total of almost 2.4 million.
An average of 4,885kWh of electricity was used per consumer in South Somerset during 2009, 10% (437kWh) higher than the regional average of 4,448kWh and 18% (733kWh) higher than the Great Britain average of 4,152kWh. This was the second highest recorded by a local authority in Somerset, behind West Somerset with 5,082kwh, the lowest for the County was Taunton Deane with 4,433kWh.

Source : AEA for DECC

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Energy Consumption 2005-09: South Somerset

TRANSPORT

6,140 million vehicle kilometres were made in Somerset County authority area in 2009.

This was the third highest recorded by a unitary or county council (behind Devon and Gloucestershire), accounting for 12.6% of the 48,588 million km total for the region as a whole.

Between 1993 and 2009, the total number of vehicle kilometres travelled within Somerset area increased by 28% (1,379 million km). This was higher than the average increase in the South West of 26%.

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A graph showing estimated traffic volumes in Somerset (1993-2009)

Source: Department of Transport

COMMUTING

Driving to work is the most popular way to commute. In South Somerset 61.2% commute by car compared to the South West average of 58.7%.
Walking to work in South Somerset with 12.9% is slightly higher than the South West average of 12.1%, and much higher than the UK average of 10.0% of commuters.

Source: Office of National Statistics

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A graph comparing methods of travelling to work in South Somerset, SW, and UK (2001)

Protect and improve air, land and water quality

AIR QUALITY

There is one area of poor air quality in South Somerset. An Air Quality Management Area has been established in Yeovil.
Please click here to find out more.

Source: DEFRA

WATER QUALITY

There are 43 river water bodies within South Somerset. Our latest assessment of these classified 23.2% as poor, 62.8% as moderate and 14% as good.
This compares with 143 river water bodies within Somerset. Our latest assessment of these classified 1% as bad, 16% as poor, 60% as moderate and 23% as good.
The main reasons for less than good status include: high levels of phosphate, impacted fish communities, physical modification and low levels of dissolved oxygen.

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A map showing Water Framework Directive (WFD) water bodies from Somerset

For information on the activities taking place to help your local river improve, please see the Earth Chattering pages for an interactive map and much more information.

Please note - Water bodies do not fit exactly within local authority boundaries. The figures have been derived from those water bodies whose centres are within the district in question. If all water bodies within a district had been included, double accounting would have taken place. Some water bodies have yet to be classified. For the purpose of this exercise, these have been removed from the figures published.

Source : Environment Agency

LAND USE

In 2005 both the South West Region and the UK, the largest landuse came from Greenspace with 90.7% and 87.5% respectively. The next largest area of land cover came in the form of domestic gardens with 3.1% in the South West, and 4.3% for the UK average.
In South Somerset, the two largest landuses are the same, however domestic gardens with 3.0% and greenspace is a little higher with 92.3%.

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A graph showing the Landuse in South Somerset (2005)

Source : Communities and Local Government

QUALITY OF LIFE

The ninth Local Environmental Quality Survey conducted by Keep Britain Tidy, was carried out between April 2009 and March 2010. The Summary Report key messages included :

~ Overall Standards within England remain the same as last year, with no change in the Cleansing Index score, which is 76, out of a possible 100.

~ 63% of standards for all LEQ indicators were either Good or Satisfactory.

~ The South East joins the South West as top performing region overall, for the first time this year.

~ The South West has been either the top performing region or joint top performing region since the 2007/08 Survey.

The survey carried out between April 2006 -March 2007, is available down to Local Authority Level, please click here for the details.

Source : Keep Britain Tidy

NITRATE VULNERABLE ZONES

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) are areas of land that drain into waters polluted by nitrates, such that the ecosystem is at risk of being disturbed, or the water is likely to exceed 50 milligrams of nitrate in each litre.

Within South Somerset Council, there are a number of small areas designated NVZ with three areas of deferred slurry storage.

NVZ regulations come fully into force on 1 Jan 2012, except in deferred Slurry storage areas which have until 1 Jan 2013.
For more information on NVZ, please see Environment Agency pages.
For detailed maps relating to NVZ areas, please see source pages.

Source : Environment Agency

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South Somerset Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs)

CATCHMENT SENSITIVE FARMING

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) gives advice on dealing with diffuse pollution from agriculture and the impact on water courses.

CSF is a voluntary initiative, where as NVZs is a statutory obligation. CSF looks at: best practice on manure and pesticide usage; Promoting good soil structure; protecting watercourses from run-off and best practice on stock management.

There are two Catchment Sensitive Farming projects within South Somerset. These are the Somerset Levels and Bridgwater Bay which covers an area of 2,535km2, and the Axe and Otter covers an area of 589km2.

Source : Environment Agency

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A map showing the Catchment Sensitive Farming projects in South Somerset

SOIL

In a broad landscape context the soils of South Somerset are dominated by light textured and clay rich heavy textured soils. The alluvial semi natural soils are evident tracing the Parrett, Isle and Yeo river catchments
Soil type is a major factor in determining the type of agriculture that can be supported. Generally light textured soils support cereals and horticulture while shallow chalk limestone soils support grazing and cereals. Clay rich heavy soils often underlie dairy pasture.
The latest detailed DEFRA data (2007) on the number of holdings (farm types) within South Somerset indicates over 58% of farms support lowland grazing (sheep and beef) 14% dairy and 13% horticulture.

Source : DEFRA

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A map showing South Somerset soils

POLLUTION INCIDENTS

For the period April 2005-March 2010 inc, there was 1 incident of major impact to water in South Somerset. In addition, there were 9 incidents of significant impact to air, 1 incident of significant impact to land and water, 4 incidents of significant impact to land and 11 incidents of significant impact to water.
For the period April 2010- March 2011 inc, there was 1 incident of major impact to water in South Somerset.
For the same period, there was 1 incidents of significant impact to water.

Source : Environment Agency

FLYTIPPING

During 2009/10 there were 834 reported incidents of flytipping in South Somerset, the median for a district in Somerset. This was a 21% decrease from 1054 incidents in 2008/09.

Source: DEFRA

Please note: incidents of fly tipping are reported differently by each council. One may log black bin bags out on an incorrect day as a fly tipping incident where another council do not log this. Please be aware of these reporting discrepancies on Flycapture when looking at the data in comparison to other councils.

MUNICIPAL WASTE

South Somerset District Council had the sixth lowest amount of residual waste in the South West with 391.51 kg/household. This was the second lowest to be produced in Somerset.
In 2009/10, South Hams had the lowest level of residual waste in the South West with 341.04kg/household. The highest in the South West was Isles of Scilly Council with 1,452kg/household.

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Recycling in the South West (2009/10)

Recycling and composting has increased significantly in the South West, from 14.9% in 2000 / 2001 to 43.5% in 2009 / 2010.
South Somerset District Council in 2009/10 against the other South West Councils, was in the top half of the recycling league table with 41.86%.
The highest rate of recycling in the SW was Cotswold District Council with 60.4%, and the lowest rate in the SW was Isles of Scilly with 18.9%.

Source : DEFRA

TOTAL MUNICIPAL WASTE LANDFILLED

Somerset County Council landfilled 152,285 tonnes, which was the fourth highest amount of tonnes landfilled in the South West. This was the seventh lowest percentage landfilled (54.62%) in the South West.

Bournemouth Borough Council landfilled the least percentage waste in 2009/10 (37.8%). Plymouth City Council landfilled the largest percentage of waste in 2009/10 (64%). Devon County Council however landfilled the largest amount in tonnes with 194,720 tonnes.

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Waste disposal 2009/10 in Somerset

Source : Environment Agency

Put people and communities at the heart of what we do

POPULATION

The population of South Somerset was estimated to be 158,600 in June 2010, 3.0% of the South West’s total population of 5,273,700.
Of this population 18.0% were aged under 15, 60.0% were of working age (16 – 64), and 22% were of pensionable age (65+).
At 22%, there were more people of pensionable age in South Somerset, than in the South West region.

Source : Office of National Statistics

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Population Growth in the South West: 2008-2033

NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS

Between 2008-2033 the number of households in South Somerset are predicted to increase by 29.0% from 69,000 to 89,000. This is just below the 30% increase predicted for the Region and above the 21.1% predicted for England.

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Household Estimate and Projections 1991-2033: South Somerset

Please note - Figures to 2008 are based on ONS mid-year population estimates and projected rates of household formation from trends in Census and Labour Force Survey data. All projections are 2008-based. The 2008-based household projections are linked to the Office for National Statistics 2008-based Population Projections, and are not an assessment of housing need or do not take account of future policies. They are an indication of the likely increase in households given the continuation of recent demographic trends.

Source : Communities and Local Government

NEW HOMES ON PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED LAND

The proportion of new buildings built in England on previously developed land, rose 23% between 1994-2009. More than half of local authorities in the South West has an increase higher than the English average.
Over the same period in the South West, South Gloucestershire had the highest overall increase with 57%, and the lowest was Isles of Scilly with -10%. The second lowest local authority was jointly Cotswold and Torbay with only a 5% increase over the same period.
The increase in South Somerset was 44%.
For the period 2006-2009, only 4 councils achieved over 90% of new dwellings on previously developed land in the South West. These were Bournemouth (97), Poole (97%), City of Bristol (95%) and Christchurch (94%).

Source : Communities and Local Government

FLOODING

One in six properties in England are at risk of flooding. In the South West over 200,000 properties are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea and around 6,000 properties are at risk from coastal erosion in the South West.
The causes of flooding in Somerset are varied; rivers, tidal, surface water or combinations of the three, depending on location.
The main population centre within South Somerset where there is risk of flooding is Yeovil.
To see locations at risk of flooding in Somerset, please click here for the Environment Agency flood map.

Source : Environment Agency

PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND FLOOD RISK

The Environment Agency lodged objections to 6,200 planning applications in England and Wales on the grounds of flood risk in 2007/2008 up from 4,750 in 2006/2007. Of these, 1,160 objections were in the South West, accounting for almost 19% of the national total.
An additional 21 applications for minor development were also approved contrary to Environment Agency advice in the South West. None of these were in South Somerset
In 2008/09, a summary report was published which had no detailed information to local authority level.
The number of planning applications to which we objected on flood risk grounds fell slightly to 5,198 in 2008/09 compared to 6,232 in 2007/08, representing 43% of consultations received. This is the first fall in the proportion of consultations objected to since 2001/02.

Source: Environment Agency

Work with businesses and the public sector to use resources wisely

WATER RESOURCES

South Somerset one main CAMS which influence the area - the Parrett, Brue and West Somerset Streams.

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Catchment Area Management Strategy (CAMS) for Somerset

Please click here for the full documents.

Source: Environment Agency

ECO FOOTPRINT

The ecological footprint is an indicator of the total environmental burden we place on the planet. It represents the area of land needed to provide raw materials, energy and food, and to absorb pollution and waste created. It is measured in global hectares (a hectare of land with world average productivity) and is usually expressed as a per person measure. The Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI) calculate the ecological footprint of consumption activities.
One of the main features of an ecological footprint indicator is that it is based on consumption, not just domestic production. It takes into account the impact of all products that are consumed, whether they are produced in the country of consumption, or elsewhere in the world.

In 2006, an average UK citizen had an eco-footprint of 4.64gha, which is significantly above the available budget of 1.89 gha. The South West Regional average was 4.74 gha
In 2006, South Somerset had an eco footprint of 4.79gha. The highest and lowest in Somerset were West Somerset and Taunton Deane with 4.83 and 4.74gha respectively.
The ecological footprint of all local authorities in the UK is significantly above the available global budget. If everyone in the world consumed the same as a UK citizen we would need nearly three planets worth of resources.

Source : Resource Accounting

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A graph showing the South Somerset Eco Footprint (2006) by themes

LANDFILL ALLOWANCE TRADING SCHEME

In 2009/10 the amount of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) landfilled by the 16 local authorities within the South West was 1,032,967 tonnes against their combined allocation of 1,134,910 tonnes.
Somerset County Council had an allocation of 99,929 tonnes and only landfilled 96,849 tonnes (96.9%) of their BMW.
Only two councils in the South West exceeded their allocations. They were Gloucestershire County Council and South Gloucestershire Council.

Source: Environment Agency

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Amount landfilled in 09/10 within the South West

Downloads

Please use these images in presentations/reports, but remember to reference the South West Observatory Environment Module Local Profiles 2011.

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