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:
Dorset Council Cabinet ‘made’ (adopted) the Shillingstone Neighbourhood Plan – First Review on 10 November 2026.
Neighbourhood plans must show how they have taken account of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). To help groups meet this requirement, Dorset Council has produced a guide to help with writing a neighbourhood plan. This guide explains how to take account of the Dorset LNRS and includes links to other useful sources.
The examiner's report on the Bradford Abbas and Clifton Maybank Neighbourhood Plan was received on 4 November 2026. View the plan and see details of the examination.
The examiner's report on the Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan Review was received on 21 October 2026. The next step is for the revised plan to go to Cabinet to be formally 'made'.
The examiner's report on the Bere Regis Neighbourhood Plan Review was received on 7 October 2026. The next step is for the revised plan to go to Cabinet to be formally 'made'.
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].
