Neighbourhood planning is about giving local people a say over the future growth of their area.
They can say what new homes will look like and where they will be built, where employment should be located, what community facilities should be protected or what others are needed as well as protecting green spaces and the environment.
For further information see the following links:
The examiner's report on the Shillingstone Neighbourhood Plan Review was received on 7 September 2026. The next step is for the revised plan to go to Cabinet to be formally 'made'.
Bradford Abbas and Clifton Maybank Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted to Dorset Council. The public consultation period has finished, and the plan is now undergoing independent examination. More information is available on our Bradford Abbas and Clifton Maybank Neighbourhood Plan page.
Dorset Council Cabinet ‘made’ (adopted) the Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan – First Review on 28 July 2026. View the Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan and other associated documents.
Bere Regis Parish Council has submitted the Bere Regis Neighbourhood Plan Review. The public consultation period has finished, and the plan is now undergoing independent examination. View the plan and see details of the examination.
Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan was submitted to Dorset Council on 28 April 2026 for review. The public consultation period has finished, and the plan is now undergoing independent examination. View the plan and see details of the examination.
When adopted, neighbourhood plans become part of the development plan for the area. See the adopted local plans. This means they will sit alongside the Local Plan and be considered in deciding whether or not planning permission should be given. Plans that will be adopted after the adoption of the Dorset Council Local Plan will become part of this plan.
Please see the maps below showing the designated neighbourhood areas and the neighbourhood plans in the Dorset Council area:
We are aware that some of these documents are not fully accessible. If you need this information in a different format, contact [email protected].
