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
Wool Parish Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted for examination. We are holding a 6-week public consultation on the submitted plan from Friday 6 September to Friday 18 October 2024. You can view the plan and respond to the consultation.
The referendum on the Sturminster Marshall Neighbourhood Plan took place on Thursday 29 August 2024. A majority voted in favour of the plan. The next step is for the plan to be formally made by Cabinet. For more details, see our Sturminster Marshall Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
Fontmell Magna Neighbourhood Plan – First Review has been submitted for examination. We are holding a 6-week public consultation on the submitted plan between Friday 30 August to Friday 11 October 2024. To view the plan and to respond to the consultation, see our Fontmell Magna Neighbourhood Plan consultation webpage.
The examiner’s final report on the Alderholt Neighbourhood Plan has been issued. To view the plan and the examiner’s report, see our Alderholt Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
Wimborne St Giles Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted for examination. If you wish to comment please contact us by Tuesday 24 September 2024. More information is available on our Wimborne St Giles Neighbourhood Plan webpage.
The Knightsford Neighbourhood Area (comprising of Tincleton, West Knighton, West Stafford and Woodsford) has been amended on 24 July 2024 to reflect changes made to the parish boundary arising from a Community Governance Review. For more details, see our Decision - to amend the Knightsford Neighbourhood Area (comprising of Tincleton, West Knighton, West Stafford and Woodsford) to reflect changes made to the parish boundary in April 2024 arising from a Community Governance Review - Dorset Council.
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