Dorset Council's Neighbourhood Planning
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.
Neighbourhood planning news
Regulations linked to the Coronavirus Act 2020 mean that no neighbourhood plan referendums can take place until 6 May 2021. Planning guidance has been updated. Neighbourhood plans awaiting referendums can be given significant weight in decision-making.
The Puddletown Area Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted to Dorset Council for
examination. Consultation is due to commence on 26 June until 7 August 2020.
More information is available on our Puddletown Area Neighbourhood Plan page.
The Upper Marshwood Vale Neighbourhood Plan has been formerly made by Dorset Council on 5 May 2020 at the online full council cabinet meeting. More information is available on the Upper Marshwood Vale Neighbourhood Plan page.
The Sutton Poyntz Neighbourhood Plan has been formerly made by Dorset Council on 5 May 2020 at the online full council cabinet meeting. More information is available on the Sutton Poyntz Neighbourhood Plan page.
The Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan has been formerly made by Dorset Council on 5 May 2020 at the online full council cabinet meeting. More information is available on the Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan page.
A consultation on a draft Decision Statement, relating to the Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan 2011 – 2033 proceeding to referendum, is taking place from 8 May 2020 to 26 June 2020. The
draft statement and consultation response form can be accessed via the Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
Following the successful examination Dorset Council has agreed the Portland Neighbourhood Plan, as amended can proceed to referendum. More information is available on our Portland Neighbourhood Plan page.
Wareham Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group is consulting on a revised draft of their neighbourhood plan from 28 February to 14 April 2020. Coronavirus update - due to the current Government restrictions, the Regulation 14 consultation on the revised Wareham Neighbourhood Plan will be extended until 3 weeks after the restrictions are relaxed. Details of the revised closing date will be posted on this and the steering group’s website and on the Wareham Town Hall noticeboard. You can continue to comment by post to Wareham Town Council or comment online here. More information is available on our Wareham Neighbourhood Plan page.
The Wimborne Minster Parish area has been designated as a neighbourhood plan area. The Neighbourhood Plan group can now begin work on their plan.
At the request of Marnhull Parish Council a neighbourhood area coinciding with the boundaries of the Marnhull parish area has been designated by Dorset Council.
The Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted to Dorset Council and is currently undergoing independent examination. Consultation on the plan took place between 7 February and 20 March 2020. More information is available on our Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan page.
The Milton Abbas Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted to Dorset Council and is currently undergoing independent examination. Consultation on the plan took place between 31 January and 13 March 2020. More information is available on our Milton Abbas Neighbourhood Plan page.
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.
We have also mapped out all the neighbourhood plans across the Dorset Council area at various stages which includes: