Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy

The Core Strategy will set targets for the provision of new housing and employment for a period up to 2028, as well as setting out general policies in relation to provision of facilities, transport, and protection of natural and historic features. All of the other Local Development Documents within the Local Plan (formally the Local Development Framework) will have to conform to it.  The Councils are working in partnership to deliver this plan.

Submission of the Core Strategy

Christchurch Borough Council and East Dorset District Council submitted their joint Core Strategy to the Secretary of State on 15 March 2013.

Mrs S Turner RIBA MRTPI IHBC BArch MSc has been appointed by the Secretary of State as the Planning Inspector to undertake the Core Strategy Examination in Public.  Mrs J Neale has been appointed the Programme Officer to support the Inspector.

The Examination in Public page provides the full set of examination and other documents along with details of how to contact the Programme Officer.

The submission of the Core Strategy was agreed by the full Councils of East Dorset (opens in a new window)   on 25 February 2013 and Christchurch on 26 February 2013.

Why do we need to submit the Core Strategy?

Section 20 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires a Local Planning Authority to submit its Core Strategy to the Secretary of State for his or her approval.

The Secretary of State will appoint an Inspector to conduct an Examination into the soundness of the Core Strategy. This examination will include formal sessions where the Inspector will discuss the major issues of interest to him or her, as well as considering representations received, and possibly asking for further written statements.

Duly-made representations received at Pre-Submission stage, and to the Schedule of Proposed Changes, will all be sent to the Inspector for consideration as part of the Examination.

Where we have come from with the Core Strategy - previous consultations

There have been a series of public consultation stages for the Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy, for which the documents and the comments received on them are still available:

• Schedule of Proposed Changes to the Core Strategy Pre-Submission, consulted on between November and December 2012
• Core Strategy Pre-Submission, consulted on between April 2012 and June 2012
• Core Strategy Options for Consideration, consulted on between October 2010 and January 2011
• Core Strategy Issues and Options, consulted on between March 2008 and May 2008

Where are we going next with the Core Strategy?

The Core Strategy must still pass through a series of stages before it can be adopted by Christchurch and East Dorset as council policy.  We have produced the East Dorset Local Development Scheme and Christchurch Local Development Scheme, which list the timings for these stages and for the other Development Plan Documents the councils are producing.

If you would like further information on the Core Strategy, please contact us.

• Community & Planning Policy Manager (Christchurch)
  Name: Simon Trueick
  Email: strueick@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 495038
  Fax: 01202 495108
  Full details for Simon Trueick
• Name: Policy Planning (East Dorset)
  Email: PlanningPolicy@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 886201
  Full details for Policy Planning (East Dorset)