The original version of the Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan was made (adopted) on 22 June 2021. A review of the plan was submitted for examination in November 2025.
Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan – First review
The examiner’s report on the Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan – First Review was received on 29 May 2026. A referendum is not required, and therefore the next step is for the plan to be revised in accordance with the examiner’s recommendations and taken to Dorset Council’s Cabinet for a final decision.
Between Friday 20 March and Tuesday 7 April 2026 a limited consultation took place regarding changes to the legal compliance and Basic Conditions requirements. This was on the request of the examiner, as detailed in his letter dated 16 March.
In response, 5 responses were received. These were:
On 25 February 2026 the examiner wrote to Dorset Council and the Town Council with questions. The councils submitted a joint response on 18 March 2026.
- Letter from examiner (25 February 2026)
- Joint response from Dorset Council and Shaftesbury Town Council (18 March 2026)
On 18 February 2026 the examiner wrote to Dorset Council and the Town Council to clarify several initial procedural matters.
The submitted revised neighbourhood plan and supporting documents are:
- Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan (2019 to 2031) – First Review (submission version November 2025)
- Consultation Statement
- Basic Conditions Report
- Modifications Statement
- Strategic Environmental Assessment – Screening report
The Regulation 16 consultation took place between 12 December 2025 and 30 January 2026. Representations received during the consultation have been compiled into the following reports:
- Responses to the Regulation 16 consultation (4 February 2026)
- Dorset Council’s Reg 16 response and Modifications Statement(30 January 2026)
Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan – original version
The original Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan was made (adopted) by Dorset Council on 22 June 2021.
The decision statement and the 'made' Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan Part 1 (chapters 1-4), Part 2 (chapters 5-6), Part 3 (appendices) are available online.
The Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan referendum was held on Thursday 6 May 2021.
A majority voted in favour of the neighbourhood plan (YES votes: 1556; NO votes: 216). The turnout was 26.9%. More details regarding the results, plus details of the other elections and referendums that took place that day can be found here.
Documents relating to the referendum are:
- Information Statement – provides details on the referendum, such as the question that will be asked, where and when the referendum will be held, who is entitled to vote, and can you can vote (including by post or proxy)
- Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan 2019 to 2031 (referendum version)
- Decision Statement (4 February 2021) – a statement by the local planning authority that the plan as proposed meets the basic conditions
- Summary of Representations received to the regulation 16 consultation
- Examiner's Final Report (August 2020)
Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan - original - submission documents
1. Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan (Submission version, January 2020) - pages 1 to 50
Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan (Submission version, January 2020) - pages 51 to 133
2. Consultation Statement (January 2020)
3. Basic Conditions Statement (December 2019)
4. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) – screening statement (July 2019)
Additional supporting evidence
6. Housing and Employment – background paper
Other supporting evidence
Additional evidence used is listed in Appendix M of the submitted plan with weblinks to where these are available on-line.