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
The independent examiners report on the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan examination has been received. More information is available on our Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
Following an area application by Stalbridge Town Council, Dorset Council has designated the Stalbridge neighbourhood area. For more information, please see the published decision.
Following an area application by St Leonards & St Ives Parish Council, Dorset Council has designated the St Leonards & St Ives neighbourhood area. For more information, please see the published decision.
Marnhull Parish Council has prepared a neighbourhood plan. A 6-week public consultation on the submitted plan has taken place and Andrew Mead BSc (Hons) MRTPI MIQ has been appointed as the examiner. To view the plan, responses to the consultation, and details of the examination, see our Marnhull Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
Knightsford Neighbourhood Plan was made on 9 September 2025. More information is available on our Knightsford Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
Melbury Abbas & Cann Parish Council has prepared a neighbourhood plan. The appointed examiner, Andrew Mead BSc (Hons) MRTPI MIQ, has sent us his final report. To view the plan and the examiner’s report, see our Melbury Abbas & Cann Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
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 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.
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