Central government sites

• Planning Portal (opens in a new window) is the government's on-line planning and building regulations resource. You can use it to learn about planning and building regulations, make a planning application, appeal against a decision and research government policy

• Communities and Local Government (opens in a new window) sets UK policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue

• Planning Inspectorate (opens in a new window) - if you are considering lodging an appeal against a planning decision

• Department for Transport (opens in a new window) - focuses solely on transport issues

• The Office of Public Sector Information (opens in a new window) has grown grown out of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO). OPSI has a broad remit to advise on and regulate the operation of the re-use of public sector information. Their website provides access to national legislation

• Business Link (opens in a new window)  offers advice on UK building regulations and planning permission when starting a business from home

• Site Finder (opens in a new window) Mobile Phone Base Station is a national database of mobile phone base stations and their emissions

Local sites

• South West Planning Aid (opens in a new window) provides free, independent and impartial advice on town planning matters to community groups and individuals throughout the South West who cannot afford to pay for a professional advisor

• Alterations and additions to your property may make you more vulnerable to crime than you realise. The Crime Prevention Officer at Dorset Police (opens in a new window) can provide helpful advice of way of reducing the risk 

• Wessex Searches (opens in a new window) can provide advice on potential sewerage or water issues

Building standards

• Local Authority Building Control (opens in a new window) is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in building design and construction. It is based on a publicly accountable and independent service, ensuring that buildings comply with relevant legal requirements for health and safety

Environment

• Natural England (opens in a new window) is a government agency established to champion the conservation of wildlife, geology and wild places in England. The agency was formed in 2007, bringing together English Nature, the landscape, access and recreation elements of the Countryside Agency and the environmental land management functions of the Rural Development Service

• Environment Agency (opens in a new window)  is the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. It's the agency's job to make sure that air, land and water are looked after by everyone in today's society, so that tomorrow's generations inherit a cleaner, healthier world

• Forestry Commission (opens in a new window) is the government agency responsible for forestry policy throughout Great Britain

Conservation and design

• Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) (opens in a new window) is a government funded Executive Non-Departmental Public Body

• English Heritage (opens in a new window) is a government agency established to make sure that the historic environment of England is properly maintained and cared for

• Resource for Urban Design Information (opens in a new window) offers information about good practice in urban design

• The Urban Design Group (opens in a new window) was formed in 1978 to bring together people involved in the decision-making, creation and use of the urban environment

Lobby groups

• Campaign to Protect Rural England (opens in a new window)

Disability issues

• Radar (opens in a new window) is a national organisation run by and working with disabled people. It campaigns for equal rights for disabled people, promoting good practice and legislation that enables them to live independently in the community

Professional and related bodies

• The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) (opens in a new window) exists to advance the science and art of town planning for the benefit of the public. Town planning involves much more than planning towns, and is often referred to simply as 'planning'.

• Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) (opens in a new window) has 110,000 members in 120 countries, addressing all aspects of land, property, construction and the associated environmental issues

• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) (opens in a new window) is a professional body for managers in construction

• Royal Institute of Britsh Architects (RIBA) (opens in a new window) - with 30,000 members, exists to further the cause of architecture in politics and culture, in the UK and internationally

• Heathland Unilateral Planning Obligation (redirect to 387392)

  Contributions are now being sought to mitigate the impacts of new residential development sited between 400m and 5km of Dorset Heathland

• Mobile mast policy - West Dorset

  West Dorset District Council is aware of residents' concerns over these masts. Here you can see our own policy and approach to these developments.

• Planning service and performance

  We aim to deliver an efficient and effective service for the provision of advice and information.

• South East Dorset Transport Contributions Scheme

  Developer contributions are now being sought towards efforts to mitigate the impacts of additional development on the highway network in south east Dorset.

• The Sequential Test for new housing development in Christchurch

  Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) requires local planning authorities to follow a risk-based approach in their consideration of applications for new development. The first stage of this approach is the Sequential Test which aims to steer new development to areas with the lowest probability of flooding. Only when there are no reasonably available alternative sites within zone 1 (low probability) can development within zone 2 (medium probability) or zone 3 (high probability) be considered.

• The Sequential Test for commercial development in Christchurch

  Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) requires local planning authorities to follow a risk-based approach in their consideration of applications for new development. The first stage of this approach is the Sequential Test which aims to steer new development to areas with the lowest probability of flooding. Only when there are no reasonably available alternative sites within zone 1 (low probability) can development within zone 2 (medium probability) or zone 3 (high probability) be considered.

• Landscape

  Purbeck is a very special place with a unique identity.

• Urban design

  Urban design is the art of making places for people. It includes the way places work as well as how they look.

• Mobile Mast Rollout Schedules - North Dorset

  Please download and view the documents for each mobile phone operator's anticipated roll out programme in the period 2011 to 2012 in respect of any proposed development within the North Dorset District Council boundary.

• North Dorset District Council - Notice to Install Electronic Communications Apparatus

  List of the Notices of intention to install electronic communications apparatus made to North Dorset District Council.

• Name: Development Services - West Dorset District Council
  Email: planning@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 251010
  Fax: 01305 251481
  Full details for Development Services - West Dorset District Council