Sturminster Marshall has prepared a draft neighbourhood plan. Before the plan can be adopted, it must undergo an independent examination and a referendum.
The submitted neighbourhood plan is:
It is supported by the following documents:
The parish council also provided the following evidence base documents:
- Report to Inform Habitat Regulations Assessment (June 2023)
- Design guidance and codes (April 2023)
- Site options and assessment (June 2021)
- Local Green Spaces Report (June 2021)
- Housing Needs Assessment (Dec 2020)
All representations received during the Regulation 16 consultation have been compiled into the following report:
Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)
Dorset Council agree with the findings of the document titled ‘Report to Inform Habitats Regulations Assessment’, prepared for the Sturminster Marshall Neighbourhood Plan and published by AECOM in June 2023. Dorset Council, as competent authority under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (‘Habitats Regulations’), have therefore adopted the report as the HRA for Sturminster Marshall Neighbourhood Plan.
Natural England were consulted on the HRA for the Sturminster Marshall Neighbourhood Plan in accordance with Regulation 105(2) of the Habitats Regulations, and concur with the findings of the HRA that the Sturminster Marshall Neighbourhood Plan will not adversely affect the integrity of a European Site.
Plan examination
In March 2024, the above documents and representations were sent to an Independent Examiner, Andrew Mead BSc (Hons) MRTPI MIQ. The Examiner considers whether the plan meets certain basic conditions, satisfies legal requirements, and will identify an appropriate area for a referendum.
It is unlikely that the examination will involve a hearing, but this will be determined by the examiner. Updates regarding the examination process will be published on this page. The examiner’s report will be published on this page at the end of the process.
On 7 March 2024, the examiner wrote to Dorset Council and Sturminster Marshall Parish Council to clarify some initial procedural matters.
On 18 March 2024, the examiner wrote to Dorset Council and Sturminster Marshall Parish Council to ask a number of questions in order to seek clarification on some matters. The parish council and Dorset Council replied on 2 April.
- Letter from examiner (18 March 2024)
- Response from Sturminster Marshall Parish Council and Dorset Council (2 April 2024)
On 8 April 2024, the examiner wrote to Dorset Council and Sturminster Marshall Parish Council to ask a supplementary question. The parish council replied on 10 April and Dorset Council replied on 15 April.