Dorset Council is preparing a Dorset wide local plan to replace the existing former district and borough local plans, namely Purbeck Local Plan (2024), North Dorset Local Plan (2016), West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland Local Plan (2015), and Christchurch & East Dorset Local Plan Part 1 (2014) (as well as saved policies from older plans in some instances).
The Council undertook an initial consultation on the new Dorset Local Plan from January to March 2021, which included site options. Consultation documents and summaries of responses received are available at: Dorset Council Local Plan January 2021 consultation - Dorset Council
Further evidence gathering has taken place since this time, however further consultation was put on hold due to changes in Government, the planning system and national planning policy. The Plan will now be taken forward as set out in the new local development scheme.
Due to new national policy and a significant increase in the amount of housing that should be provided for, it is necessary to undertake an additional options consultation. This will include reconsulting on options for housing and other uses put forward in the 2021 consultation plan, where appropriate, as well as new site options for housing and other development types (such as commercial, Gypsy and Traveller sites and potential areas for wind and solar).
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), paragraph 16, states that plans should be shaped by early, proportionate and effective engagement between plan makers and communities, local organisations, businesses, infrastructure providers and operators and statutory consultees.
Objectives of the consultation
The Council’s Statement of Community Involvement sets out how and when Dorset Council will involve the community as part of its planning duties.
Because planning affects the future of Dorset, the Council wants to be sure that everybody is able to be involved in the preparation of Local Plan.
We aim to
The Council maintains a database of people and organisations that have requested to be kept informed of the development of the Local Plan and opportunities for engagement.
The consultation will run between 18 August and 13 October 2025.
Population data from 2021 Census is the main source of data for this assessment and is summarised below.
Overall the population has Increased by 4% (less than regional and national figures) to 379,584, with 51.4% females and 48.6% males.
This gives us a density of about 1.5 people per hectare, or 1.1 per football pitch which is a slight increase on 2011.
7% of the population has previously served in the regular military, reserves or both (22,884).
The average median age of people in Dorset has increased from 47 to 51, with the over 65s increased by 5% points, including 12,000 65 to 74 year olds.
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 4 and under | 7729 | 7295 |
| 5-9 | 9293 | 8869 |
| 10-14 | 10349 | 9992 |
| 15-24 | 18315 | 16121 |
| 25-44 | 35485 | 36715 |
| 45-64 | 51401 | 55758 |
| 65-79 | 38299 | 42028 |
| 80 + | 13541 | 18412 |
| Gender same as sex as registered at birth | 303,693 |
| Gender different from sex registered at birth | 277 |
| Trans woman | 241 |
| Trans man | 166 |
| Non Binary | 119 |
| All other | 82 |
These are official statistics in development.
| Heterosexual | 291,721 |
| Gay/lesbian | 3,575 |
| Bisexual | 2,889 |
| Pansexual | 418 |
| Asexual | 135 |
| Queer | 47 |
| All other | 15 |
| Not answered | 23,103 |
Non-disabled residents dropped by 5%, with 18% overall being disabled as defined by the Equalities Act.
The degree of disability has reduced slightly, from 7.1 to 6.5% being limited a lot, and those limited a little rising by 9.9 to 11%.
| No unpaid care | 329,043 |
| 19 hours | 18,838 |
| 20-49 hours | 6,102 |
| >50 hours | 10,572 |
The number of single parents has increased since 2011 by 5%.
| White British | 356,275 |
| Other white | 12,150 |
| Mixed | 4,425 |
| Asian | 4,301 |
| Black | 1,081 |
| Other | 1,344 |
English is the main language of 96% of residents. Where English is not their main language just over 87% speak it well or very well and just under 13% don’t speak it well or at all.
| Christian | 195,676 |
| Buddhist | 1,608 |
| Hindu | 711 |
| Jewish | 453 |
| Muslim | 1,550 |
| Sikh | 119 |
| Other | 2,360 |
| No religion | 152,286 |
| Not answered | 24,841 |
The Council’s Rural Urban Classification Research Report (March 2025) identifies that 47% of Dorset’s population live in rural areas.
There have been some, mainly small, changes since the last census. Probably most noteworthy is the age profile of our population compared to the national and regional levels, which shows a significantly older population. This will be picked up in our updated local housing needs study and be reflected in the final draft policies.
Whilst the majority of residents in Dorset are from a British White background, 6% come from another background with half of that from a white other ethnicity including 3% Gypsy and Irish Travellers.
Nearly 50% of our residents live in rural areas.
Colleagues involved in developing the consultation plan for the Dorset Local Plan Option consultation 2025; and the communications campaign for the Dorset Local Plan Option consultation 2025 and Local Transport Plan 4.
Not for this assessment. Following the consultation we will consider the responses along with any new studies before we draw up the draft final plan which will also be consulted upon.
| Type of impact | Description of impact |
|---|---|
| Positive Impact | The proposal eliminates discrimination, advances equality of opportunity and/or fosters good relations with protected groups. |
| Negative Impact | Protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against |
| Neutral Impact | No change/ no assessed significant impact of protected characteristic groups |
| Unclear | Not enough data/evidence has been collected to make an informed decision. |
| Impacts on who or what? | Impact | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Positive | The Local Plan Options consultation will be promoted using a range of methods which will reach all ages, e.g. digital and social media, local/parish newsletters, press releases, radio adverts, bin lorry ads. Traditionally it has been difficult to engage with younger people but using digital media for promotion and engagement should help overcome this. The Council is also working with Dorset Youth Council and providing packs for schools which encourage them to do a tik tok video and promoting the consultation through an education bulletin. The consultation will be mainly web-based using Citizen Space, making it available across the whole of Dorset. All documents will be made available online and the response can be made online. For those who prefer the traditional approach to consultation we will be holding a number of drop-in events focussed in localities where larger developments are proposed. Paper copies of the Local Plan Options 2025 document will be available through libraries and paper copies of response forms will be available on request. |
| Disability | Positive | Venues for the in-person drop-in events are accessible for those with mobility issues. The main consultation tool is Citizen Space on the Dorset Council website, which is checked for compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard and updated where necessary. The web content can be accessed using a screen reader. |
| Gender reassignment and Gender Identity | Neutral | The consultation process does not impact on this particular protected characteristic. |
| Marriage or civil partnership | Neutral | The consultation process does not impact on this particular protected characteristic. |
| Pregnancy and maternity | Neutral | The consultation process does not impact on this particular protected characteristic. |
| Race and Ethnicity | Positive | The documents can be made available in different languages on request. Officers will be attending a Gypsy and Travellers Liaison Group meeting towards the end of September – exact date to be arranged. |
| Religion and belief | Neutral | The consultation process does not impact on this particular protected characteristic. |
| Sex (consider men and women) | Neutral | The consultation process does not impact on this particular protected characteristic. |
| Sexual orientation | Neutral | The consultation process does not impact on this particular protected characteristic. |
| People with caring responsibilities | Positive | People with caring responsibilities can struggle to leave their charge unattended. By running an on-line consultation process this will give carers an opportunity to engage with the consultation. |
| Rural isolation | Positive | The Local Plan Options consultation will be promoted using a range of methods which will reach rural communities, e.g. digital and social media, local/parish newsletters, press releases, radio adverts, bin lorry ads. The consultation will be mainly web-based using Citizen Space, making it available across the whole of Dorset. The documents will be made available online and the response can be made online. Paper copies of the options document will be available through libraries and paper response forms made available on request. |
| Socio-economic deprivation | Positive | The Local Plan Options consultation will be promoted using a range of methods which will reach rural communities, e.g. digital and social media, local/parish newsletters, press releases, radio adverts, bin lorry ads etc. The consultation will be mainly web-based using Citizen Space, making it available across the whole of Dorset. All documents will be made available online and the response can be made online. Paper copies of the options document will be available through libraries and paper response forms made available on request. |
| Single parents | Neutral | The consultation process does not impact on this particular protected characteristic. |
| Armed forces communities | Neutral | The consultation process does not impact on this particular protected characteristic. |
Given the scope of the Local Plan, the impacts will either be neutral or positive. Where there may be an impact in the longer term then this is generally positive, e.g. additional housing and jobs.
| Issue | Action to be taken | Person(s) responsible | Date to be completed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age - positive | Traditionally it has been difficult to engage with younger people but using digital media for promotion and engagement should help overcome this. The Council is also working with the youth council and schools to encourage engagement with the options plan. Promotion and engagement with the Local Plan will be through a range of media, including e.g. digital and social media, local/parish newsletters, press releases, radio adverts, bin lorry ads. For those who prefer the traditional approach to consultation we will be holding a number of drop-in events focussed in localities where larger developments are proposed. Paper copies of the Local Plan Options 2025 document will be available through libraries and paper copies of response forms will be available on request. Officers will be available at the end of a phone to provide help in making a response. |
Comms
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Ongoing
|
| Disability - positive | Promotion and engagement with the Local Plan will be through a range of media, including e.g. digital and social media, local/parish newsletters, press releases, radio adverts, bin lorry ads. We will be using Citizen Space, the Council’s on-line consultation tool. Officers will be available at the end of a phone to provide help in making a response. |
Comms
|
Ongoing
Ongoing |
| Rural isolation - positive Socio-economic - positive |
Provide a range of opportunities and consultation methods that are inclusive, appropriate, cost effective and timely. We will be using Citizen Space, the Council’s on-line consultation tool. Officers will be available at the end of a phone to provide help in making a response. |
Comms Spatial Planning Spatial Planning |
Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing |
| People with caring responsibilities - positive | People with caring responsibilities can struggle to leave their charge unattended. By running an on-line consultation process this will give carers an opportunity to engage with the consultation. Officers will be available at the end of a phone to provide help in making a response. | Comms Spatial Planning |
Ongoing |
| Officer completing this EqIA | Sue Bellamy |
|---|---|
| Officers involved in completing the EqIA | Sue Bellamy |
| Date of completion | 19/08/25 |
| Version number | 4 |
| EqIA review date | Prior to the next round of Local Plan consultation (Regulation 19 Pre-submission) |
| Equality Lead sign off | James Palfreyman-Kaye |
| Date of sign off | 19/08/25 |
