Dorset Council Local Plan Options Consultation 2025

Dorset is changing – help us shape it.

Dorset Council is preparing a new Local Plan to guide development. The consultation looks at how we could meet development needs across the Dorset Council area and identifies opportunity sites for new homes, employment land and traveller sites. It also identifies areas of opportunity for wind and solar power. 

You can view and comment on the Local Plan options consultation, including site options between 18 August and 13 October 2025.  

We strongly encourage you to respond using the online consultation. Alternatively, you can request a paper response form or email or write to us.

The consultation document and appendices (including the site options) are also available to view.

• Dorset Council Local Plan Options Consultation 2025 main document 
• Appendix A: Opportunity sites for housing
• Appendix B: Opportunity sites for employment
• Appendix C: Opportunity sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
• Appendix D: Opportunity areas for renewable energy

Paper copies of the consultation document are available to view in Dorset libraries. Copies of all the documents can be viewed at County Hall, Dorchester during normal office hours. 

Supporting documents

There are a number of supporting documents that provide further detail and background evidence to the Local Plan consultation.

• Sustainability Appraisal Report August 2025 
• Sustainability Appraisal Report August 2025 - Appendices
• Habitats Regulations Assessment Report July 2025

Background papers

• Flexible Settlements Policy background paper
• Housing Numbers background paper

Other evidence and information

• Weymouth Town Centre Masterplan refresh
• North of Dorchester Garden Community Masterplan
• Renewable energy strategic assessments for resource and landscape sensitivity

Additional supporting information can be found at our Dorset Council Local Plan evidence page.

Drop-in events

You can come and talk to us at one of the events we are holding during September and October. 

Alternative formats 

If you are unable to respond online please use the following response forms.

• Main document response form
• Sites response form

If you need alternative versions please contact us. 

Previous Local Plan consultation

We have consulted on the Local Plan before and received valuable feedback. This is a new consultation as we have updated the plan based partly on feedback and included new options based on the new housing targets set by the current government. The Plan includes sites that could be identified for new homes.

If you need help with the survey, please contact the Planning Policy team.