Is there an SHMA in Dorset?

In Dorset an SHMA was commissioned by the Dorset Housing Market Area Partnership. The partnership comprised a working group of housing and planning officers of each of the local authorities as well as representatives of regional government, neighbouring authorities, the Housing Corporation and other interest groups. The assessment was undertaken between 2006 and 2008. It was one of three pilot studies in the South West supported by the South West Housing Body.

Who did the work?

Much of the research work was undertaken by officers of Dorset County Council and partner authorities. A new study of housing need and demand was also commissioned. This work was undertaken by Fordham Research Ltd in 2007/8.

What did the study show?

The assessment confirmed that there are two main housing markets operating in Dorset - one based on Bournemouth and Poole incorporating the local authority areas of Christchurch, East Dorset, Purbeck and North Dorset. The second is based on Dorchester and Weymouth and incorporates the local authority areas of West Dorset and Weymouth/Portland.

A suite of reports has been prepared and are available for downloading from the right of this page. These include:

Research compiled by Dorset Housing Market Area Partnership

• Final brief for SHMA
• Results of Stakeholder Event FINAL (2006)
• Report on Stakeholder Event  2 April 2008
• Summary report for Bournemouth/Poole HMA
• Summary report for Dorchester/Weymouth HMA
• Main Evidence Base for the Bournemouth/Poole and Dorchester/Weymouth HMAs

Research by Fordham Research Ltd

• Survey of Housing Need and Demand - Bournemouth/Poole HMA
• Survey of Housing Need and Demand - Bournemouth Borough (HNDS)
• Survey of Housing Need and Demand - Borough of Poole (HNDS)
• Survey of Housing Need and Demand - Borough of Christchurch (HNDS)
• Survey of Housing Need and Demand - East Dorset District (HNDS)
• Survey of Housing Need and Demand - North Dorset District (HNDS)
• Survey of Housing Need and Demand - Purbeck District (HNDS)
• Survey of Housing Need and Demand - Dorchester/Weymouth HMA
• Survey of Housing Need and Demand - West Dorset District (HNDS)
• Survey of Housing Need and Demand - Borough of Weymouth and Portland (HNDS)
• Supplementary Stakeholder Report

How does the study compare with others in the South West?

The South West Regional Housing Body conducted research into the different SHMAs across the region. The aim of this research was to critically appraise the key findings of the different studies and assess how robust they were; to look at how the SHMAs were being disseminated and used; and to evaluate the quality of the different methods used to draw up the SHMAs and how these related to government guidance. A detailed report and a summary of the regional findings can be downloaded from the right.

Have changes occured since 2008?

In 2010 a Monitoring Report was produced to highlight changes in some of the key data since the original study was undertaken. It provides a brief overview of the 'direction of travel' since the SHMA was produced and highlights issues that need to be investigated in any future review. The Monitoring Report can be downloaded from the right.

In 2011 the Strategic Housing Group appointed Justin Gardner Consulting to undertake an update and review of the SHMA and housing needs data. Work began in June. A draft report will be considered by a wide group of stakeholders at a seminar in September 2011. The final report will be published later in the year.

For further information contact Mike Garrity or Gill Smith.

• Team Leader - Planning Policy
  Name: Mr Mike Garrity
  Email: m.garrity@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 221826
  Full details for Mr Mike Garrity
• Senior Planning Officer
  Name: Mrs Gill Smith
  Email: gill.m.smith@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 225137
  Fax: 01305 224835
  Full details for Mrs Gill Smith