The West Dorset District Council Statement of Community Involvement was adopted at full council on 11 January 2007.  It sets out how the council will provide opportunities for the public and organisations to get involved in the development planning process throughout the district.

How the statement of community involvement was produced

Before preparing the statement of community involvement, the council consulted a range of organisations to gather their views on consultation in West Dorset.  This included all members of the West Dorset Partnership (the local strategic partnership), all tiers of local government (county, district, town and parish councils) within and adjoining West Dorset, and other stakeholders such as the Highways Agency; South West of England Regional Development Agency and the Environment Agency.  This was done in accordance with Regulation 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004. 

The council then prepared a draft document, and consultation on this initial draft took place for six weeks from 11 November to 23 December 2005, in accordance with Regulation 26. Copies were made available for inspection at the district council's offices in Dorchester, Bridport and Sherborne, at all libraries in West Dorset and at Weymouth town centre library, as well as on this website.  The council received 60 representations, and a further 13 letters not specifically commenting on the document.  These helped the preparation of a revised draft (the submission draft). 

Consultation on the revised (submission) draft took place for six weeks from 19 May to 29 June 2006, in accordance with Regulation 28.  Copies of this draft were advertised and widely circulated, and again made publicly available at the district council's offices and local libraries, as well as on this website.  A copy was submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination, together with information on the number of responses received to earlier consultations, the main issues raised and how they had been addressed. A total of 45 representations were received, and these were published on this website and sent to the libraries and district council offices for public viewing.  The council proposed a number of further amendments to the submission draft in response to these.

An independent examination of the statement of community involvement was carried out by David Robins BA PhD FRTRI of the Planning Inspectorate.  He considered comments made, and whether the document was sound. He produced a binding report in November 2006 with recommendations on how the statement of community involvement must be changed. The council then adopted the statement of community involvement incorporating these changes on 11 January 2007.  A copy of the adopted statement and inspector's report can be viewed by clicking on the links to the right.

All draft versions and consultation responses have now been removed from this page to avoid potential confusion.  If you wish to view these in order to track the changes made, please refer to the relevant committee reports or contact us for assistance.

Where can I see a copy of the statement of community involvement?

Copies of the statement of community involvement and the inspector's report can be viewed at local libraries, or by downloading them from this website. They are available for viewing or purchase (at a cost of £1, with postage and packing costing an additional £1 if required) at the district council offices in Dorchester, Bridport and Sherborne during normal opening hours:

• Stratton House, 58/60 High West Street, Dorchester: 8.30am - 5pm (Mon to Thurs) and 8.30am - 4.30pm (Fri)
• Mountfield, Rax Lane, Bridport: 8.30am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm (Mon to Thurs) and 8.30am - 1pm and 2pm - 4.30pm (Fri)
• The Manor House, Newland, Sherborne: 8.30am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm (Mon to Thurs) and 8.30am - 1pm and 2pm - 4.30pm (Fri).

The statement of community involvement has been sent to every town and parish council / group within and adjoining the district, with a request that it should be made available to local residents.  Any of these documents can also be made available in other formats (for example, large print) on request.

Planning Policy Consultation Database

The council maintains a record of people and organisations who have requested to be kept informed of progress on the local development framework.  To have your details added to, or removed from, this database, please contact the local policy team (contact details given below). 

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 the database will only be used to keep people informed about progress on various planning policy matters, and any personal data contained on this database will be treated in confidence and will not be disclosed to any third party outside of the council.

• Name: Local Policy (West Dorset)
  Email: local.policy@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 252386
  Fax: 01305 251481
  Full details for Local Policy (West Dorset)