Dorset Council Local Plan

Dorset Council is preparing a local plan for the whole area. News and information can be found on this page. An evidence base will inform the development of the plan, work done on former local plan reviews forms part of this. 

News

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and government guidance on social distancing, certain approaches to consultation (such as making paper copies of the consultation material at council offices) will not be possible for a temporary period. Greater use of on-line methods will enable consultation to continue without face-to-face contact. The next consultation on the Dorset Council Local Plan is scheduled for Autumn 2020 and the approach to consultation will be kept under review as the situation changes. If you have particular needs which prevent you from accessing online material, please contact the planning policy team.

Dorset Council adopted a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) on 28^th January 2020. The statement is required by the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) and sets out how and when Dorset Council will involve the community as part of its planning duties. This statement replaces all the existing SCIs previously adopted by the predecessor Councils (Dorset County Council, East Dorset District Council, North Dorset District Council, Purbeck District Council, West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council) that existed prior to the formation of Dorset Council on the 1 April 2019The Statement of Community Involvement can be found on the evidence page.

Dorset is one of the most beautiful and sought after places to live. Planning aims to enhance the best characteristics of our area and make sure it is the best possible place for us all to live, work and play.

To do this we need to have consideration for the number of homes that are needed, their affordability, local transport improvements and climate change. We need to think about those who live and work in the area and those who wish to move to the area. We need to grow to sustain our population, help our communities thrive and ensure that we have the skilled workforce to ensure our economy grows. By looking at the whole area over a 15 year period we can help create opportunities for improvement in all sorts of ways.

To help us do this we research our area, talking to businesses, residents, developers, communities, Government, housing associations, builders, partners, specialists and organisations to deliver benefits for the area. We will ask how you think the area should grow to meet your needs and those of, your children and your grandchildren.

Once this work is done we act on it. Most of the evidence goes towards developing a Local Plan that states where growth will happen and what payments must be made from development to enhance the local area, have a look at the evidence we have generated so far. The Local Plan also helps shape the area through policies that are used to decide planning applications. These policies cover a wide range of matters, such as what renewable energy will be considered or what drainage is acceptable for new properties. Other issues are better dealt with through ventures such as our economic development work and Opening Doors project. We all need to live more sustainably and the local plan will help us to do so.

We are busy identifying issues and opportunities now. The next stage will be to get your input. Look out for our consultation later in 2020.  

You can remove yourself or amend your details at any time by emailing the team.