Background

Sherborne is one of West Dorset's three largest towns, and the main town in the northern part of the district. In planning for the future, the need for additional employment and housing development (particularly affordable housing) has been identified. Having considered a number of options, the independent inspector on the local plan recommended that farmland at Barton Farm, north west of the town centre, be allocated for mixed-use development (housing, employment, recreational or community facilities and landscaping), to be built before 2016.

The 13.5 hectare (33.3 acre) site lies between the A30 Yeovil Road, Marston Road and Sheeplands Lane (location and site maps can be downloaded by clicking on the link to the right). It is estimated that the development could provide around 230 dwellings, including affordable housing, and over 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres) for business use.

Involving the local community

The council has worked closely with Sherborne Area Partnership to involve the community in preparing the Barton Farm Development Brief.  The consultation followed the procedures set out in the council's Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) and national guidelines.  As well as keeping this webpage updated, copies of all consultation papers were distributed to the Sherborne Area Partnership and made available in the council offices and public library in Sherborne, and a number of events were held in Sherborne. Feedback reports on the various consultation stages are available (click on the links to the right).

The planning guidelines - adoption statement

A special meeting of the Policy Development Committee was held in Sherborne in December 2007 to consider what changes should be made to the planning guidelines and make a recommendation to the Executive Committee.  The committee papers (see link: 11 December 2007) included a detailed table of comments on the draft guidelines and how the guidelines could be revised in response to these.  The sustainability appraisal and appropriate assessment of the potential adverse effects on any nearby European sites were also considered.

The West Dorset District Council Barton Farm Development Brief was adopted at Executive Committee on 18 December 2007.

Where to find the documents

All the documents can be read by clinking on the links to the right.

Copies of all the documents can also be inspected during office hours at the council offices in Dorchester and Sherborne. They have also been sent to Sherborne library. Copies can be bought from the council, and the prices reflect how much they cost to print:

• Barton Farm Development Brief - £6 Sustainability Appraisal Report Summary - free Sustainability Appraisal Report (full version) - £7
• Sustainability Appraisal Report Summary - free
• Sustainability Appraisal Report (full version) - £7
• August-September 2007 Final Consultation Statement (feedback report) - £1.20

Postage and packing will be charged at £1 per package.

What happens next

The decision when to submit a planning application for this site is made by the developer, and is not controlled by the council.

When an application is received it will be registered and added to the list of applications kept in the council offices and at Sherborne library, updated on the website and circulated to a range of organisations. Sherborne Town Council, together with other relevant organisations such as the Environment Agency and English Heritage will be told, as will local residents living next to the site. A site notice will be displayed and an advert put in the Blackmore Vale.

The council allows three weeks for the public to comment on planning applications. The decision on whether to grant permission will then be made, either under delegated powers or by the Development Control Committee at a venue in Sherborne. If decided by committee, the meeting will be open to the public and anyone who has submitted comments on the application can speak. All those who have made comments on the planning application will be sent a letter about what decision is made.

Monitoring

The effects of the development of Barton Farm (such as on pollution levels and local wildlife) will be reported every December in the council's Annual Monitoring Report.