An important part of the new planning system is gathering evidence and factual information to help identify the issues and needs of the area. Evidence can come from reports, strategies, specific pieces of research and from a wide range of sources including organisations that operate at a local level in West Dorset or organisations that operate on a wider level but have specialist knowledge or expertise. This evidence will be used to produce the Local Development Framework (LDF) documents.

Existing reports

There are a number of existing reports that can be used in the evidence base. In addition, a number of new studies are being carried out which will be added to this page on completion.

The Strategic housing land availability assessment (SHLAA) is part of a government-led programme asking councils to assess the amount of land available for housing development in England. SHLAAs will provide the evidence base to support the delivery of sufficient land to meet the community's need for more homes.

The Strategic housing market assessment in Dorset  is an important survey of housing need across Dorset. Over 95,000 questionnaires were sent out across the county as part of the wider survey of the housing market. The information collected will be vital in helping West Dorset District Council plan for future housing needs and secure more affordable housing.

The strategic flood risk assessment has been prepared by consultants on behalf of the council, in conjunction with the Environment Agency. The report looks at the whole district and provides information on where flood risk is an issue, the extent of the areas at risk and where new development is likely to add to that risk. In Addition an SFRA2 has been completed specifically looking at the Bridport area.

The Town centre retail and leisure study looks at the West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland areas. The principal focus is on the towns of Weymouth and Dorchester as these have been identified by the Regional Spatial Strategy as strategically significant towns. A supplementary study considers other smaller towns in West Dorset.

The aim of the study is to assess the strategic roles and functionality of the two principal towns, how they relate to each other and the extent to which they are complementary or competing. It also seeks to identify current needs for retail and other town centre uses and to provide options for how this need could be met.

The economic vision report is a joint study with West Dorset District Council, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Dorset County Council and the South West Regional Development Agency. The aim of the research is to provide clearer advice on the economic needs of Weymouth and Dorchester. The results of the economic vision will complement the Employment Land Review.

The Employment Land Review checks whether West Dorset has enough employment land to reasonably meet future demand, and is a three stage process.

The Rural Functionality Study provides information about the sustainability of the district's rural areas. It looks at where village residents travel to for work, shopping, education, services and leisure activities. The study is made up of case studies of selected villages and rural business sites. The chosen villages are Alton Pancras, Charlton Down, Chetnole, Crossways, Litton Cheney, Mosterton, Puddletown, Stoke Abbott, Thorncombe and Whitchurch Canonicorum.  These villages represent a wide geographical spread and differing development patterns, facilities and sizes. Paper copies have been sent to West Dorset libraries and to parish councils of the selected villages.

The tourism in West Dorset report provides background information which can be taken into account as part of the evidence base for the Local Development Framework.

The Audit and assessment of open space, sport and recreation facilities  is an audit of all types of recreational open spaces plus some types of indoor recreation facilities within the District. It also assesses the quality and accessibility of the sites.

The West Dorset landscape character assessment helps to identify what makes the landscape distinctive from one area to another, what changes are taking place and how this change can be managed.

The sustainability appraisal scoping report is an important part of the new planning system and consultation has taken place on it.

Further information

This page will be updated as the results of the various evidence gathering projects are known. See facts and figures for West Dorset including the latest census information.

The Planning Portal (opens in a new window) offers a wide range of services and guidance on the planning system including planning policy guidance notes (PPGs), Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) and circulars prepared by the Government.

• Name: Strategic Policy (West Dorset)
  Email: strategicpolicy@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 252386
  Fax: 01305 251481
  Full details for Strategic Policy (West Dorset)