Dorset Council embarked on a new Local Plan back in 2019, to replace the ailing legacy plans. The process got off to a great start, with the Local Plans team publishing an Issues and Options document in 2021, successfully engaging a wide audience. A significant number of representations were received and once digested, the then Cabinet Member for Planning and Development reported that further work was required to redress climate change et al. However, in early 2024 Dorset Council took the decision to abandon the emerging plan and start afresh.
Brett Spiller, Director at Chapman Lily Planning explained: ‘At the time, I felt that this was a disappointing and frustrating move, because of the effort that had been put into the early consultation stage, the fact that the Inspectors examining the legacy Local Plans had generally called for early review and that work on the review of District Plans had been halted in favour of a Dorset wide plan. However, with the benefit of hindsight and the publication of the new NPPF and standard method, this was probably a good thing. It now affords Dorset an opportunity to Plan for an ambitious level of growth, whilst safeguarding the area’s natural assets. We are pleased to see the publication of a realistic programme for moving the new Local Plan forward being aired’.
A draft Local Development Scheme [“LDS”] – the timetable for next steps – is being put before Dorset Councils’ next Cabinet meeting. For ease of reference, please see the proposed key milestones below. In summary Reg.18 consultation on renewed Issues and Options will take place in August / September 2025, Reg. 19 consultation on a pre-submission plan will take place in August 2026, and the Plan will be submitted for Examination in December 2026 with the aim of adoption in Winter 2027.
For more information on what this might mean for your land or development, please contact us.