Following a lengthy period of Examination which has entailed several rounds of further consultation on proposed modifications, Planning Inspector Paul Crysell has now published his final Report which concludes that the West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland Local Plan ‘provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the District and Borough Councils providing a number of modifications are made to the Plan’.
The publication of the Inspector’s Report completes the independent examination of the Local Plan, and concludes that the Councils collectively are able to demonstrate at present a marginal 5.1 year land supply taking account of the need to provide a 20% buffer for competition and choice. However, the Inspector has set out a requirement for the Councils to undertake an early review of the Local Plan by 2021 to ensure provision of sufficient housing land for the remainder of the plan period.
The Councils will now prepare a consolidated version of the submitted Local Plan incorporating the main modifications from the Inspector’s Report, which will then be taken forward through the respective committee cycles at West Dorset DC and Weymouth & Portland BC with adoption of the Local Plan anticipated to take place at Full Councils on 15th October (Weymouth & Portland) and 22nd October 2015 (West Dorset).
Should you need any advice on the implications of the impending adoption of the Local Plan on your current or forthcoming projects, then please contact us.