Have Your Say: Dorset Local Plan Consultation
- trudyritsema2
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Dorset Council has opened a public consultation on their new Local Plan, an important document that will guide planning decisions across Dorset until 2043, including decisions that affect our local area. This is available here on the Dorset Council Website.
The Dorset Local Plan sets out where new development will take place, what type of development is appropriate in different areas, and how infrastructure and community facilities will be provided. It covers housing, employment, transport, environment, and community facilities across the county.
The government has set new housing targets requiring Dorset to plan for 3,246 homes annually. The plan identifies where these homes could be built and what infrastructure would be needed to support them. It includes a North of Dorchester Masterplan and identifies Dorchester as a location for growth. There are also provisions for:
A Dorset Design Code to guide the appearance and quality of new development
Transport infrastructure, including potential improvements to road connections
Gypsy and Traveller site allocations
Policies on green space and environmental protection
How to Get Involved
In Person: Public drop-in session at Dorchester Corn Exchange, Thursday 11 September, 2-7pm. This provides an opportunity to speak with planning officers and view materials before reviewing the full consultation documents.
Online: Visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dorset-is-changing
Post: Spatial Planning team, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, DT1 1XJ
View Documents: Hard copies available at County Hall reception and local libraries, and online
Key Areas to Consider
When reviewing the plan, you might want to consider:
Whether proposed development locations are appropriate in terms of transport access and community facilities
How infrastructure improvements will be funded and delivered
Design standards and how development can enhance local character
Environmental considerations, including flood risk and green infrastructure
How development contributes to community facilities
The balance between different types of housing to meet local needs
Making an Effective Response
Your response will be most effective if it:
Focuses on specific policies or proposals in the consultation documents
Provides constructive suggestions for improvements
References relevant local knowledge and concerns
Addresses how policies might work in practice
The consultation closes on 13 October 2025. This is an opportunity for our community to help shape how our area develops over the coming years.