Somerset is rich in environmental assets from its coastline to the Levels, Exmoor to the Mendips. In particular, West Somerset was ranked in the top 10% most beautiful places in the UK (Natural England, 2013).
Within Somerset's borders are:-
However, this doesn’t paint the whole picture; there are some areas of the County experiencing very different circumstances. Many people living in towns have fewer opportunities to enjoy the rural landscape and may be experiencing poor conditions in their immediate environment.
Environmental Deprivation
The English Indices of Deprivation, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), are the official measure of relative deprivation for small areas in England. The most recent were published in 2015. Based on 37 indicators, they are organised across seven domains of deprivation which are combined, using appropriate weights, to calculate the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), which is calculated for every Lower layer Super Output Area (LSOA), or neighbourhood, in England. Every such neighbourhood is ranked according to its level of deprivation relative to that of other areas.
One of the seven domains which comprise the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is that of the Living Environment. The indicators used to create the Living Environment index of deprivation are:-
Indoors
Outdoors
Some headlines:-
Weather and Climate
The Met Office publishes monthly statistics collated at RNAS Yeovilton weather station. Data for temperature and rainfall go back to 1965, and sunshine figures start in 1983. Highlights for the 1965-2017 period are as follows:-
Flood Risk
Around 15% of Somerset is either at or just above sea-level. Parts of the low-lying Somerset Levels and Moors are at risk of severe flooding as a result of extreme weather periods.
In particular, in early 2014, the area experienced widespread flooding within the Parrett and Tone river catchments. With an estimated 65 million cubic metres of floodwater covering an area of 65 square kilometres, it is the largest flood event ever known.
As a result, the Somerset Levels and Moors Flood Action Plan (FAP) was produced by a range of organisations, with the involvement of the community and co-ordinated by Somerset County Council. As part of the 20-year plan, the Somerset Rivers Authority was established in 2015.
Air Quality
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy publishes annual estimates of carbon dioxide emissions for local authorities and regions. Carbon Dioxide (CO²) is the main greenhouse gas, accounting for about 81.5 per cent of the UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2015. Provisional figures estimate that CO² accounted for 80.3% of the UK's greenhouse emissions in 2016.
Bathing Water Quality
Water quality at designated bathing water sites in England is assessed by the Environment Agency. From May to September, weekly assessments measure current water quality, and at a number of sites daily pollution risk forecasts are issued. Annual ratings classify each site as excellent, good, sufficient or poor based on measurements taken over a period of up to four years.
See the map below for the seven locations in Somerset, and their 2016 classifications for bathing water quality.
For more data on these sites and others around the English coast, see the Environment Agency website.
Rurality
For more information, see our Rurality page
Flytipping
Fly-tipping is the illegal deposit of waste on land, contrary to Section 33(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Local authorities and the Environment Agency both have a responsibility in respect of illegally deposited waste.
Recycling
Further Information:-
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Somerset County Council
Life expectancy is 80.5 (+-0.3yrs) years for men and 84.3 (+-0.3yrs) years for women in Somerset which is higher than national averages. - Life Expectancy