The next phase of the Dorset Council Local Plan is set to move forward with publication of an options document and public consultation.

Members of the local authority’s cabinet meeting on June 24 are being recommended to approve the start of consultation on 18 August for eight weeks.

The Local Plan aims to shape the way Dorset grows over the coming years in response to the growing needs of its population within the natural and built environment  while responding to the Government’s housing and economic growth agendas.

Consultation on  a full draft Local Plan was held more than four years ago in January 2021 but preparation of this plan was halted in March 2024.

Since then,  there have been significant changes to national policy and an amended standard approach to calculating housing needs.

Under the new Standard Method, the housing need calculation for Dorset has increased from 1,793 new homes per annum to 3,246.

The options document due to go out for consultation in August will include a strategy for meeting housing, employment and other needs.

It will consult on identified development opportunities to help identify any deliverability issues and some strategic directions of travel but will not propose detailed policies.

The council will then prepare detailed policies for those sites that are considered deliverable and needed to meet the development needs of the area.

Then, the preparation of the final draft of the Local Plan will take place up to August 2026 when a further round of consultation will be held.

The Local Plan will then be submitted to the Secretary of State by December 2026 for a public examination.

Dorset Council is also set to draw up a new ‘landscape led’ Design Code and Guidance alongside development of the Local Plan that ‘facilitates locally distinctive, high-quality and sustainable development that responds to the natural environment, climate and ecology strategy’.

It is anticipated the Design Code would be adopted towards the end of 2026.

The council also needs to produce a new Minerals and Waste Local Plan. Consultation is also due to be held from mid-August for eight weeks but will held separately to the Local Plan.

KPPC welcomes progress on the Local Plan as well as updates on the Design Code and Minerals and Waste Local Plan.

It is important that the council notes the mistakes made by neighbouring BCP Council during the draft of its ill-fated Local Plan and listens to the voice of those in property and planning as well as landowners and other stakeholders.

We will consider the documents in detail and make representations in due course. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out more about how these documents may affect your plans or projects.

ENDS