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.
Supporting information
For further information see the following links:
- see neighbourhood planning how to and useful links
- see made neighbourhood plans
- see neighbourhood plans in progress
- designating a neighbourhood area
Neighbourhood planning news
An independent examiner Andrew Mead BSc (Hons) MRTPI MIQ has been appointed to examine the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan. More information is available on our Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
Vale of Allen Parish Council have submitted an area application for a Vale of Allen Neighbourhood Area. The application includes agreed consent from Knowlton Parish Council where the area application extends into this adjacent parish. You have until Tuesday 17 June 2025 to make comment on this proposal. For more information please see our Designating a neighbourhood area webpage.
Melbury Abbas & Cann Parish Council has prepared a neighbourhood plan. Dorset Council must arrange for its independent examination. Before the examination, Dorset Council must consult on the neighbourhood plan. The consultation will take place between 11 April and 30 May 2025 (inclusive). To view the plan and to respond to the consultation, go to the Melbury Abbas & Cann Neighbourhood Plan consultation page.
The independent examiner's report on the Knightsford Neighbourhood Plan (the parishes of Tincleton, West Knighton, West Stafford and Woodsford) examination has been received. More information is available on our Knightsford Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
Dorset Council Cabinet ‘made’ (adopted) the Wimborne St Giles Neighbourhood Plan on 29 April 2025. To view the plan and other associated documents, see our Wimborne St Giles Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
Dorset Council Cabinet ‘made’ (adopted) the Wool Neighbourhood Plan on 29 April 2025. To view the plan and other associated documents, see our Wool Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
The Bridport Neighbourhood Area (comprising of the parishes of Bridport and Symondsbury) has been amended on 6 March 2025 to reflect changes made to the parish boundary arising from a Community Governance Review. For more details, see our: Decision - Amendment to the Bridport Neighbourhood Area - Dorset Council.
How neighbourhood plans related to adopted local plans in Dorset Council
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:
Planning Policy
Name: Planning policy teamName: Dorchester office
Email: planningpolicy@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01305 838334
Full contact details