Melbury Abbas and Cann parish council has prepared a draft neighbourhood plan. It has undergone examination by an independent examiner. Before the plan can be adopted (known as being ‘made’), it must receive a positive result at a local referendum.
The referendum is anticipated to take place before the end of 2025. Details will be published here shortly.
The independent examination was undertaken by Andrew Mead BSc (Hons) MRTPI MIQ. The examiner’s report was issued on 3 September 2025.
Examiner’s report on the Melbury Abbas and Cann Neighbourhood Development Plan 2022 to 2038.
At the start of the examination, the examiner wrote to Dorset Council and the parish council in order to clarify several initial procedural matters.
The letter also includes 13 questions in order to seek further clarification and information from both councils:
response to examiner from Melbury Abbas and Cann Dorset Council (17 July 2025)
The examiner has also agreed to accept a late representation regarding Southbank Farm:
The submitted neighbourhood plan is:
It is supported by the following documents:
The plan is also accompanied by the following evidence base documents:
A regulation 16 consultation took place between 11 April and 30 May 2025. Representations received during the consultation period have been compiled into the following report:
