Dorset Council has extended the deadline for responses to its Local Plan Options consultation.

The online consultation, whereby respondents can lodge comments via a survey on the authority’s online platform, closes at midnight tonight, Monday 13 October.

But it has extended the closing date for comments send in by email until 31 October.

The council says: “We’ve seen a fantastic level of engagement, and we’re grateful to everyone who has already taken part online.

“Due to the high volume of responses in recent days, some users have experienced technical difficulties. To ensure no one is excluded from having their say, we will accept comments by email until 31 October.”

This extension applies only to the Local Plan. The Local Transport Plan consultation will close as scheduled on October 13, and responses must be submitted via the online survey.