News: Dorset Council's Local Plan Consultation

Planning affects us all. 

The Council’s planning policies are set out in Local Plans which are the legal starting point in determining planning applications. Public and stakeholder engagement is an important part of the plan-making process. Involving residents, businesses, organisations, experts, infrastructure providers and town and parish councils allows local knowledge and expertise to be gathered from a wide range of perspectives. This consultation sets out recommended strategies and policies meeting the requirements of Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning Act (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

Between 18th January 2021 and 15th March 2021 you are able to comment on the proposals 

What is in the plan?

View the Dorset Council Local Plan consultation on the council’s website at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/Dorset-council-local-plan

Paper copies of the plan are available for loan via click and collect from your local Dorset Council library (Covid-19 permitting) https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries-history-culture/libraries/find-your-local-library/dorset-libraries.aspx.

If you are shielding volunteers can help you pick up a paper copy of the plan for you from your local library. Find out more about support for those shielding at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/emergencies-severe-weather/emergencies/coronavirus/community-response/communities-and-volunteering.aspx

Listen to or watch webinars

We are holding webinars throughout the consultation period on key themes within the plan. Each webinar will consist of a short presentation followed by a question and answer session. www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dorset-council-local-plan-webinars

The timetable for webinars is as follows:

Telephone the team

We also have a dedicated phone line available during the consultation period open Monday to Friday from 10am – 2pm. Telephone 01305 252500 to speak to a member of the team.

Planning surgeries for groups

Town or Parish councils, organisations or community groups can attend a planning surgery during the consultation period to discuss any queries with officers. Limited spaces are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday from 10am until 2pm. Telephone 01305 252500 to reserve your slot.

How can I make a comment?

• Make sure you give your name and either postal or email address along with your postcode so that your response can be considered appropriately
•  Use the official form
•  Make your comments within the consultation period

Please note:

• representations cannot be treated as confidential. By completing a representation, you agree to your name (but not your address) and comments being made available for public viewing
•  The Council does not accept any responsibility for the contents of the comments submitted. We reserve the right to remove any comments containing defamatory, abusive or malicious allegations.

I want to make my comment online

View and comment on the plan at the following link - www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dorset-council-local-plan

The benefits of doing your response this way are as follows:

• less impact on the environment as we do not need to use paper or postage
• you’ll be emailed a copy of your response as confirmation once submitted
• you’ll also be able to start your response and return to it at a later date – a confirmation email will send you a link to where you left off
• you can upload supporting information to your response.

I want to email my comments

DC also accept responses emailed to planningpolicy@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk, completed on the specified response form.