The New Plan for North Dorset

We consulted on the New Plan in May 2010 and received nearly 1,800 responses. Once all the comments have been analysed, a report summarising the main issues will be prepared for consideration by councillors. It will also suggest ways in which the new plan could be amended in light of the comments made. We hope to have a revised pre-submission version of the core strategy and development management policies development plan published by the summer. Following adoption of these documents, work on the site allocation development plan document will commence.

On Monday 13 June 2011, we took a report to Cabinet (pdf, 2Mb) (opens in a new window) , which considered our response to the proposed changes to the planning system and how we would take forward the review of the New Plan (draft core strategy).

The New Plan (pdf, 3Mb) (opens in a new window) will eventually replace the Local Plan and is supported by a sustainability appraisal, equality impact assessments, a habitats regulations assessment and a health impact assessment.

It sets out an overall vision for the district and contains strategic objectives relating to thriving market towns; sustainable rural communities; protecting and managing the built and natural environment; meeting the district's housing needs; and improving the quality of life.

Supporting Documents 

As part of the work for The New Plan, we produced five topic papers in the summer of 2009. The topic papers draw together evidence from various technical studies and cover the spatial strategy, economy, environment, housing and transport.

We have also produced a Summary of Previous Consultation (pdf, 578kb) (opens in a new window) report, which gives an overview of the consultation that has been undertaken so far on the preparation of the New Plan.

• Landscape Impact Assessment of potential housing sites at Blandford and Shaftesbury

  Consultation on the draft Core Strategy has highlighted the concerns of local communities regarding the impact of development at Blandford and Shaftesbury on the landscape. With this in mind the Council employed, a senior landscape officer at Dorset County Council (DCC) to undertake a landscape impact assessment of the potential housing sites adjoining Blandford and Shaftesbury, as identified in the District Council's Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA).

• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Sustainability (SA)

  The most important consideration in the preparation of planning documents that form part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) is sustainable development. The aim of these documents is to promote more sustainable forms of development by considering the potential impacts of the implementation of the policies within them.

• Equalities Impact Assessment

  An Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) is a statutory requirement under legislation and is recognised as good practice nationally in the Equality Standard for Local Government.

• Habitats Regulations Assessment

  Habitats Regulation Assessments are required to ensure that plans do not have any adverse effect upon any internationally important wildlife sites, including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

• Health Impact Assessment

  The assessment is a combination of procedures, methods and tools that can help identify the possible health impacts of a programme or policy.

• Core Strategy - 2007 Consultation

  Following early consultation on the core strategy in 2005, we consulted the public in 2007 on the issues and alternative options for a draft 'stand alone' core strategy.

• Core Strategy - 2005 Consultation

  Work started on the North Dorset Local Development Framework in 2005.

• Name: Planning Policy (North Dorset)
  Email: planningpolicy@north-dorset.gov.uk
  Tel: 01258 484201
  Full details for Planning Policy (North Dorset)