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.
Marnhull 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 8 August and 19 September 2025 (inclusive). To view the plan and to respond to the consultation, go to the Marnhull Neighbourhood Plan consultation page.
Loders Neighbourhood Plan has been reviewed and the Modified Loders Neighbourhood Plan was agreed by Dorset Council on 12 August 2025. The modified plan replaces the original version of the plan. For more information, please see the Loders Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
Following an area application by Wimborne Minster Town Council, Dorset Council has modified the Wimborne Minster neighbourhood area so that it includes the entire parish area of Wimborne Minster. For more information, please see the published decision.
Following an area application by Vale of Allen Parish Council, Dorset Council has designated the Vale of Allen neighbourhood area. This area includes the whole of the Vale of Allen group parish, less the small area in the North which is within the Wimborne St Giles Neighbourhood Plan area. The application included agreed consent from Knowlton Parish Council where the area application extends into these adjacent parishes (Woodlands, Horton, Chalbury). For more information, please see the published decision.
Knightsford Neighbourhood Plan has passed referendum with 88% in favour. More information is available on our Knightsford Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
Melbury Abbas & Cann Parish Council has prepared a neighbourhood plan. A 7-week public consultation on the submitted plan took place between 11 April and 30 May 2025. Andrew Mead BSc (Hons) MRTPI MIQ has been appointed as the examiner. To view the plan and for details of the examination, see our Melbury Abbas & Cann Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
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