The consultation document sets out options and opportunities for meeting the development needs of the Dorset Council area over the next 17 years. It will help form the Dorset Council Local Plan which will be used when making planning decisions in Dorset.
The Local Plan will be Dorset Council’s response to the Government’s commitment to addressing the shortage of housing, to enable economic growth and deliver essential infrastructure to enable this growth. It will also set out how planning decisions will seek to conserve and enhance the environment, including measures to address climate change.
We are seeking feedback on the identified options and opportunities to help us prepare for the next round of the local plan production process.
This consultation document includes a proposed vision and strategic priorities for Dorset, providing a framework for:
Government expects us to use their Standard Method to assess local housing needs. We are responsible through the local plan for establishing a housing requirement and preparing the strategies and policies for addressing this requirement. We have gathered our own evidence around the need for employment land and traveller pitches and plots. The proposed approaches that we set out in this document are a starting point for a discussion as to how we could meet the growth needs of Dorset. This consultation provides an opportunity for alternative proposals to be suggested. The final draft Local Plan must be prepared with the aim of meeting the growth needs of Dorset whilst conserving its highly valued natural and built environment.
Planning involves making decisions about the use and development of land. It influences which new buildings will be built and where, so is important for the future of our towns, villages and countryside. The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to sustainable development and local councils are expected to plan positively for the needs of their area.
The Local Plan will set out a strategic approach to enabling growth within Dorset, directing it to the most appropriate locations in order to conserve and enhance Dorset’s highly valued natural environment. The Plan’s overarching objective is to contribute to the delivery of sustainable development in Dorset.
Sustainable development is ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. In planning terms sustainable development has three objectives which need to be pursued together- economic, social and environmental objectives.
In January 2021 Dorset Council undertook an options consultation on a draft Local Plan for Dorset. The draft plan was shaped by the evidence and strategies that the former district councils had produced in reviewing their adopted Local Plans.
The 2021 consultation generated a significant response and helped highlight and identify issues to take into consideration on the site options presented. Feedback also highlighted that there was a need to gather further evidence on the risk of flooding in Weymouth Town Centre. There was also a need to identify a clearer strategy for meeting the needs of Gypsies and Travellers including the identification of more sites. In addition to these issues, Natural England updated their advice on the impact of nutrient pollution in protected estuarine and freshwater habitats sites. Five of these sites affect Dorset and therefore it was necessary to review and develop nutrient neutrality measures to address the impact.
Whilst work to address these issues was underway, there have been some significant changes to national policy. In December 2024, a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published. This included a new, binding approach to calculating housing need for local planning authorities which has resulted in a significantly higher housing target for Dorset. Through the Local Plan production process, the housing requirement for the area will be established.
There have also been various reforms to the planning system proposed including a new process for preparing Local Plans and the anticipated introduction of national development management policies. These policies would cover topics such as landscape and heritage and would be applicable across the country.
Transitional arrangements have been put in place for those local plans currently being prepared, with a target of submitting the Local Plan for examination by December 2026. Although challenging, this is the target that Dorset Council are working towards meeting as set out in the latest Local Development Scheme.
Population data from 2021 Census is the main source of data for this assessment and is summarised below.
Overall the population has Increased by 4% (less than regional and national figures) to 379,584, with 51.4% females and 48.6% males.
This gives us a density of about 1.5 people per hectare, or 1.1 per football pitch which is a slight increase on 2011.
7% of the population has previously served in the regular military, reserves or both (22,884).
The average median age of people in Dorset has increased from 47 to 51, with the over 65s increased by 5% points, including 12,000 65 to 74 year olds.
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 4 and under | 7729 | 7295 |
| 5-9 | 9293 | 8869 |
| 10-14 | 10349 | 9992 |
| 15-24 | 18315 | 16121 |
| 25-44 | 35485 | 36715 |
| 45-64 | 51401 | 55758 |
| 65-79 | 38299 | 42028 |
| 80 + | 13541 | 18412 |
| Gender same as sex as registered at birth | 303,693 |
| Gender different from sex registered at birth | 277 |
| Trans woman | 241 |
| Trans man | 166 |
| Non Binary | 119 |
| All other | 82 |
These are official statistics in development.
| Heterosexual | 291,721 |
| Gay/lesbian | 3,575 |
| Bisexual | 2,889 |
| Pansexual | 418 |
| Asexual | 135 |
| Queer | 47 |
| All other | 15 |
| Not answered | 23,103 |
Non-disabled residents dropped by 5%, with 18% overall being disabled as defined by the Equalities Act.
The degree of disability has reduced slightly, from 7.1 to 6.5% being limited a lot, and those limited a little rising by 9.9 to 11%.
| No unpaid care | 329,043 |
| 19 hours | 18,838 |
| 20-49 hours | 6,102 |
| >50 hours | 10,572 |
The number of single parents has increased since 2011 by 5%.
| White British | 356,275 |
| Other white | 12,150 |
| Mixed | 4,425 |
| Asian | 4,301 |
| Black | 1,081 |
| Other | 1,344 |
| Christian | 195,676 |
| Buddhist | 1,608 |
| Hindu | 711 |
| Jewish | 453 |
| Muslim | 1,550 |
| Sikh | 119 |
| Other | 2,360 |
| No religion | 152,286 |
| Not answered | 24,841 |
The number of people who were never married or in a civil partnership has increased by 2.4 % between 2011 and 2021 but the number of people living in a couple has reduced by 0.5%.
The Council’s Rural Urban Classification Research Report (March 2025) identifies that 47% of Dorset’s population live in rural areas.
There have been some, mainly small, changes since the last census. Probably most noteworthy is the age profile of our population compared to the national and regional levels, which shows a significantly older population. This will be picked up in our updated local housing needs study and be reflected in the final draft policies.
Whilst the majority of residents in Dorset are from a British White background, 6% come from another background with half of that from a white other ethnicity, mostly Gypsy or Irish Traveller(3%). The overall number of disabled people has increased to 18% but the degree of disability has reduced slightly from 7.1% being limited a lot in 2011 to 6.5% in 2021.
Nearly 50% of our residents live in rural areas.
Not for this particular assessment. However, it should be noted that the Local Plan goes through a number of stages as set down in statute, each of which is consulted upon and feedback invited from within the Council and outside including residents, businesses and local organisations. The feedback from our last consultation in 2021 has informed the options being considered in this document.
Progress since the consultation in 2021 has been slow for a number of reasons, including concerns around the use of green belt for new housing sites and a series of changes in planning regulations and guidelines. A key issue is an increase in the number of homes the Council needs to deliver to meet the housing requirement of 3,246 homes per year, following the introduction of a new standard housing methodology. At the time of the 2021 consultation the identified ‘local housing need’ was 1,793 homes per year. Before drafting these options, appropriate internal colleagues were consulted on potential new residential sites. The next and (hopefully) final draft before submission to the Planning Inspectorate will be informed by further responses from this consultation and updated studies on, e.g. housing and employment needs and a green belt review.
Previous legacy local plans and the 2021 consultation responses from statutory agencies and organisations, local residents, businesses and local organisations have informed the current options consultation, along with the revised planning regulations and guidance. Before the final plan is drafted for submission to the Planning Inspectorate we will have updated a number of studies and received further feedback through this consultation, as mentioned earlier.
| Type of impact | Description of impact |
|---|---|
| Positive Impact | The proposal eliminates discrimination, advances equality of opportunity and/or fosters good relations with protected groups. |
| Negative Impact | Protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against |
| Neutral Impact | No change/ no assessed significant impact of protected characteristic groups |
| Unclear | Not enough data/evidence has been collected to make an informed decision. |
| Impacts on who or what? | Impact | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Neutral/Unclear Potentially positive, awaiting outcomes of Local Housing Needs Assessment |
We are currently updating our Local Housing Needs Assessment which will refresh our understanding of the needs of current and future residents in Dorset so that we can plan for the correct size, type and tenure of new homes, including e.g. retirement housing. |
| Disability | Neutral/Unclear Potentially positive, awaiting outcomes of Local Housing Needs Assessment. |
The refreshed Local Housing Needs Assessment will inform the need for any specific accessibility requirements. |
| Gender reassignment and Gender Identity | Neutral | The Local Plan options does not impact anyone who has undergone gender reassignment or a change in gender identity. |
| Marriage or civil partnership | Neutral | The Local Plan options under consideration do not have any impact based on marital status. |
| Pregnancy and maternity | Neutral/positive Awaiting outcomes of Local Housing Needs Assessment. |
Whilst there is no direct allocations of housing sites related to pregnancy, a range of tenure and sizes of homes are likely to result, including family homes and affordable housing(1) which might be more appropriate for single parents. |
| Race and Ethnicity | Neutral/positive/negative | For the most part the options out for consultation do not impact on people due to their race or ethnicity. The Council does have a responsibility to prepare strategies to meet the need for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople and we are consulting on a number of ways of securing more authorised pitches in the Options Plan which will have a positive outcome for the community. However concerns have been raised that identifying sites, particularly existing sites without planning permission which the Council may want to formalise, could result in abuse, discrimination, or other harm to the occupants of Traveller sites. To meet it’s statutory requirements the Council must be specific about where the sites are that it is considering. The Council has developed a mitigation process to minimise any negative impact. Mitigation process is summarised in action plan below. |
| Religion and belief | Neutral | The Local Plan options being consulted upon do not have any impact on people with any religious or belief system. |
| Sex (consider men and women) | Neutral | The Local Plan options being consulted upon do not have any impact on people depending upon their sex. |
| Sexual orientation | Neutral | The Local Plan options under consideration do not have any impact on people depending upon their sexual orientation. |
| People with caring responsibilities | Neutral | The Local Plan options being consulted upon do not have any impact on people with caring responsibilities. |
| Rural isolation | Neutral/positive | The Local Plan Options consultation looks to avoid adding to rural isolation by proposing to focus new housing in our more sustainable locations at Tier 1, 2 and 3 settlements (mainly towns and larger villages). Larger sites will be expected to deliver infrastructure where necessary. As part of providing employment opportunities the Options Plan consults on a flexible approach to new employment sites outside of the main allocations where appropriate, that the local population could access without significant travelling. |
| Socio-economic deprivation | Positive | The options plan consults on how we will protect existing employment sites and could deliver additional sites at more sustainable and suitable locations. Increased employment opportunities should help reduce socio-economic deprivation. It is expected that the updated housing needs analysis will confirm earlier studies and result in a requirement for affordable housing provision. |
| Single parents | Neutral/potentially positive | The Local Plan options under consideration do not have any impact on single parents. |
| Armed forces communities | Neutral | The Local Plan options under consideration do not have any impact on armed forces communities. |
(1) Affordable housing: housing for sale or rent, for those whose needs are not met by the market (including housing that provides a subsidised route to home ownership and/or is for essential local workers); and which complies with one or more of the definitions identified in the National Planning Policy Framework.
Given the scope of the Local Plan, the impacts will mostly be neutral or positive, with only one potential negative impact on the gypsy and traveller communities. Where there may be an impact in the longer term then this is generally positive, e.g. additional housing and jobs.
| Issue | Action to be taken | Person(s) responsible | Date to be completed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age - neutral/unclear/potentially positive | The updated Local Housing Needs Assessment will inform the mix of housing that the Council needs to deliver. This will be reflected in policies in the next version (Pre-Submission, Regulation 19) of the local plan. | Spatial Planning | Ongoing |
| Disability - Neutral/Unclear/potentially positive | The refreshed Local Housing Needs Assessment will inform the need for any specific accessibility requirements/particular types of housing needed. | Spatial Planning | Ongoing |
| Pregnancy and maternity - neutral/positive | Whilst there are no direct allocations of housing sites related to pregnancy, a range of tenure and sizes of homes are likely to result, including family homes. | Spatial Planning | Ongoing |
| Race and Ethnicity - Neutral/positive/negative |
A mitigation process has been developed. Notification at the start of the consultation:
Develop and share a reporting process which allows swift investigation and resolution of any reported Traveller discrimination, harassment and victimisation. This will involve the following process: 1. Council receives an allegation of racially based discrimination, harassment or victimisation of a Traveller living on an unauthorised site identified in consultation material. 2. Council shares allegation for: a. investigation to the ‘Hate Crime’ lead at Dorset Police 3. Where necessary, the council provides support to existing Traveller households in identifying alternative temporary accommodation (this will involve collaboration between the council’s housing team and Service Manager for Coast and Greenspace who has responsibility for existing Traveller sites [including permanent and transit sites]). We will share details of this process with the Traveller community in advance of the consultation beginning. |
Spatial Planning – Steve Boyt
Housing Team |
Ongoing |
| Rural isolation - neutral/positive | The Local Plan Options consultation looks to avoid adding to rural isolation by proposing to focus new housing in our more sustainable locations at Tier 1, 2 and 3 settlements (mainly towns and larger villages). Larger sites will be expected to deliver infrastructure where necessary. As part of providing employment opportunities the Options Plan consults on a flexible approach to new employment sites outside of the main allocations where appropriate, that the local population could access without significant travelling. |
Spatial Planning | Ongoing |
| Socio-economic deprivation - positive | The options plan consults on how we will protect existing employment sites and could deliver additional sites at more sustainable and suitable locations. Increased employment opportunities should help reduce socio-economic deprivation. It is expected that the updated housing needs analysis will confirm earlier studies and result in a requirement for affordable housing provision. |
Spatial Planning | Ongoing |
| Officer completing this EqIA | Sue Bellamy |
|---|---|
| Officers involved in completing the EqIA | Sue Bellamy, Steve Boyt |
| Date of completion | 19/08/25 |
| Version number | 4 |
| EqIA review date | Prior to the next round of Local Plan consultation (Regulation 19 Pre-submission) |
| Equality Lead sign off | James Palfreyman-Kaye |
| Date of sign off | 19/08/25 |
