Local plans and parts of the county structure plan have been replaced by a system of local development frameworks (LDFs). This new system comprises a number of related planning documents (local development documents) focusing on a wide range of issues and geographical areas.

The documents prepared to date as part of the LDF are listed at the bottom of this page, and the timetable for their production along with future documents are set out in our local development scheme (LDS). The statement of community involvement should be read in conjunction with the LDS.

The LDF consists of the following set of documents:

• Development Plan Documents (DPD)
• Area Action Plans (AAP)
• Local Development Scheme (LDS)
• Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD)
• Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
• Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)

These documents and the policies which they will contain are informed by detailed studies that provide a credible and robust evidence base.  These studies are also listed below.

Joint Working Arrangements

East Dorset District Council has begun to work jointly with Christchurch Borough Council on some of the LDF documents.  The stament of community involvement submission document was the first of these produced.  In this case, the format was essentially the same as the previous document, but some details had been altered to reflect the joint working arrangements and the result was a single document produced by both authorities.  The Core Strategy is currently being prepared by both Councils.  Other LDF documents are being prepared with additional Dorset authorities, include the Joint Heathlands DPD with four other councils and the Gypsy and Traveller Sites DPD with all other Dorset councils.

Core Strategy Options for Consideration consultation

The Core Strategy Options for Consideration consultation ended on 14 January 2011.  Thank you for the comments received.  The next period of public consultation is likely to happen at the beginning of 2012, where the document will reach the formal submission stage.

The Core Strategy will set out the broad development strategy for the councils over the next 15 years, and will contain the main vision, objectives and planning policies to make the strategy happen. All of the other Local Development Documents within the Local Development Framework (LDF) will have to conform to it.

Dorset-wide Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show people Site Allocations Joint Development Plan Document

All Dorset council's, including Bournemouth Borough Council and the Borough of Poole, are working together to plan for the site needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show people across Dorset. These sites will be identified in a joint Development Plan Document which will eventually be adopted by each of the individual councils across the county.

The Issues and Options document is the first stage in the preparation of the Development Plan Document, and is subject to public consultation between 18 November 2011 and 10 February 2012.

The purpose of the public consultation is to invite views on the issues and options identified in this document, the site options contained within it, and to invite suggestions for additional site locations which may be suitable to meet the needs of the Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show people of Dorset. Views are also sought on the key questions raised in the document.

Transport Contributions Scheme review consultation

East Dorset District Council jointly with Bournemouth, Christchurch, Dorset County and Poole Councils have been reviewing the South East Dorset Transport Contributions Scheme.  This review is now published for consultation for six weeks from 9 November 2011 until 22 December 2011.  The document and a series of consultation questions are available online through the South East Dorset Transport Contributions Scheme consultation portal (opens in a new window) .  Copies are also available to view at council offices and local libraries.

The current Scheme is adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance and establishes the likely cost of transport infrastructure necessary to accommodate the level of new development now being proposed and provides a framework for collecting developer contributions to meet this demand.

The results of the significant three year South East Dorset Multi Modal Transport Study (SEDMMTS) were published in 2011 to guide and clarify future transport investment decisions in the South East Dorset region to meet the growth requirements.   The South East Dorset Transport Contributions Scheme has been revised in recognition of this work and views on the revisions are sought.

Staying in touch

It is easy to keep up to date with what is going on with Christchurch and East Dorset's LDF.  Both Council's maintain an LDF database which allows us to inform residents and stakeholders of consultations on any document which might interest them.  To ensure we have your details, and that you don't miss out on events and consultations on the LDF, simply contact us using the details at the bottom of the page.

• Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy

• Christchurch and East Dorset Site Specific Allocations DPD

  Once the primary planning framework has been developed in the core strategy, the councils intend to begin work on a development plan document which will work towards delivering some of the key aspirations of the core strategy through land allocations.

• Christchurch and East Dorset Statement of Community Involvement

  The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) is one of the first documents produced as part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) process. The joint Statement of Community Involvement for Christchurch and East Dorset sets out how the Councils intend to achieve continuous community involvement in the preparation of Local Development Documents (LDDs) and in the consideration of planning applications.

• Christchurch and East Dorset Sustainability Appraisal

  The sustainability appraisal (SA) is a systematic process undertaken during the preparation of local development framework (LDF) documents that ensures they make an effective contribution to the pursuit of 'sustainable development'. The LDF is made up of a series of development plan documents (DPDs) and supplementary planning documents (SPDs) and will guide future development in Christchurch and East Dorset.

• Current planning consultations

• East Dorset Annual Monitoring Report

  The East Dorset Annual Monitoring Report reviews actual progress of Local Development Document (LDD) preparation against the timetable and milestones set out in the Local Development Scheme (LDS).

• LDF Evidence Base (Research)

  Christchurch and East Dorset councils are undertaking a number of studies in order to better understand the potential impacts of our Local Development Frameworks (LDF).

• East Dorset Local Development Scheme

  The East Dorset Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out the local development documents (LDD) that will form the East Dorset Local Development Framework (LDF).

• Dorset Heathland Joint Development Plan Document

  Local Planning Authorities in South East Dorset are working towards a long term strategy to protect designated heathlands by managing the pressures of development through the production of a Joint Development Plan Document (DPD).

• Five year housing land supply - East Dorset

  All councils are required to identify and maintain a rolling five year supply of deliverable land for housing in their areas. This document identifies specific sites which East Dorset District Council consider will contribute to the delivery of the five year housing land supply as of 1 April 2008.

• Christchurch and East Dorset Affordable Housing Development Plan Document (DPD)

• South East Dorset Transport Contributions Scheme - East Dorset (REDIRECT 394542)

• Name: Local Plan or conservation matters (East Dorset)
  Email: forward.planning@eastdorset.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 886201
  Full details for Local Plan or conservation matters (East Dorset)
• Community & Planning Policy Manager
  Name: Simon Trueick
  Email: strueick@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 495038
  Fax: 01202 495108
  Full details for Simon Trueick