Making the plan
The Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan was made (adopted) by Dorset Council on 7 November 2023. Following a majority 'yes' vote in the referendum, the decision was taken to make the Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan part of the development plan for the Chesil Bank neighbourhood area.
The Decision Statement and the 'made' Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan are available online and will be made available to view at the council's offices at County Hall, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ during normal opening hours.
Referendum Result
The Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan referendum was held on Thursday 28 September 2023 and asked residents: "Do you want Dorset Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Chesil Bank to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?" From an electorate of 1129 there was a turnout of 224 (19.8%). The result: In Favour. YES votes 167 (75.2%) and NO votes 55 (24.7%). The full referendum results are also now available.
The plan will now proceed to Cabinet on 7 November 2023 where a decision will be made on making the Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan part of the development plan for the Chesil Bank parish area.
Referendum
Dorset Council has agreed with the findings of the Examiner’s Report and the referendum will now take place on Thursday 28 September 2023.
- the Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan 2022-2032 (referendum version)
The supporting information being made available is:
- a Summary of Representations submitted to the examiner
- the Examiner's Report
- the Decision Statement which includes a statement by the local planning authority that the plan as proposed meets the basic conditions
- the Information Statement which includes general information as to town and country planning including neighbourhood planning and the referendum
Neighbourhood Plan Examination
On 23 May 2023 the examiner wrote to Dorset Council and Chesil Bank Parish Council to issue his Examination Report.
An independent examiner Andrew Mead BSc (Hons) MRTPI MIQ has been appointed to examine the Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan.
The examiner wrote to Dorset Council and Chesil Bank Parish Council on 29 March 2023 to clarify several initial procedural matters and ask a number of questions. Chesil Bank Parish Council wrote back on the 10 April 2023 and Dorset Council responded on the 19 April 2023.
In response to question 3, correspondence from Natural England was forwarded to the Examiner on the 24 April 2023.
As part of his examination of the plan, the examiner has to consider whether the plan meets certain basic conditions and satisfies legal requirements.
The basic conditions are set out in the legislation, and are intended to ensure that neighbourhood plans fit within their wider context. The plan must:
- have regard to national planning policies and guidance
- contribute to achieving sustainable development
- be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan ie the West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland Adopted Local Plan
- be compatible with European Union law and human rights obligations
- not breach the requirements of Chapter 8 of Part 6 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017
The examiner will provide a review of the plan and make recommendations in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act and related regulations.
If the neighbourhood plan is supported by a local referendum, it will be used to make decisions on planning applications.
Representations received to the submitted Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan
As the local planning authority, Dorset Council was required to consult on the plan review before the examination took place. This consultation took place for six weeks from Friday 20 January 2023 until Friday 3 March 2023. The responses received during this period are below.
Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan Responses Table
| Document Reference | Response |
| CHES01 | Anthea Spearing |
| CHES02 | Away Resorts Ltd |
| CHES03 | Chickerell Town Council |
| CHES04 | Dorset Council |
| CHES05 | Dorset Police |
| CHES06 | Environment Agency |
| CHES07 | Geoff Taylor |
| CHES08 | Gloucestershire City Council |
| CHES09 | Historic England |
| CHES10 | Ian Gardner |
| CHES11 | Martin Foley |
| CHES12 | National Grid |
| CHES13 | National Highways |
| CHES14 | Sport England |
Consultation on the Submitted Plan
The Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan (Incorporating the villages of Portesham, Abbotsbury, Langton Herring and Fleet) has been submitted for examination.
As the local planning authority, the council is required to consult on the plan proposals before the examination takes place. This is an opportunity for individuals and organisations to raise concerns they have about the plan with regard to the content and how it has been prepared. An independent examiner will be appointed, and any concerns will be passed on to them for consideration as part of the examination process.
The Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan is available to read together with the supporting documents which are as follows:
- Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan 2022-2032
- Consultation Statement, October 2022
- Basic Conditions Statement, December 2022
- SEA Environmental Report, April 2022
- Habitats Regulation Assessment Report, January 2023
Supporting evidence
- Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset Residential Car Parking Study, DCC, 2011
- Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Design Codes Final Report, AECOM, July 2021
- Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan Site Options and Assessment, AECOM, April 2021
- Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan Site Options and Assessment – Supplementary Report, AECOM, January 2022
- Dark Skies Map, CPRE
- Dorset AONB Landscape Types and Character Areas
- Dorset AONB Management Plan 2019-2024, Dorset AONB Partnership, 2019
- Dorset Explorer mapped constraints, Dorset Council
- Flood Investigation Report - Portesham, Dorset Council, October 2019
- Housing Needs Assessment, Dorset Planning Consultant Ltd, 2021
- Long Bredy, Portesham, Chickerell, Abbotsbury & Langton Herring Conservation Area Appraisal, West Dorset District Council, 2007
- National Heritage List for England
- National Planning Policy Framework and relevant planning practice guidance
- West Dorset Landscape Character Assessment, February 2009, West Dorset District Council
- West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland Local Plan, October 2015
Other supporting evidence can be view on the Vision4Chesil website:
CBPCNP Submission and Examination - Vision4Chesil
A hard copy of the Neighbourhood Plan will also be available for public inspection at Chickerell Library and the Council Offices (Dorchester) during their usual opening hours.
If you wish to comment, contact us by the end of Friday 3 March 2023.
Download the:
Comments on the plan can be emailed or posted to:
NeighbourhoodPlanning@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Spatial Planning, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ