North Dorset District Council is undertaking a review of its Local Plan. A draft Issues and Options Document has been put before Cabinet and endorsed for consultation.
The Document suggests that a step change in housing delivery is needed. The Council has been cognisant of the findings of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment for Eastern Dorset 2015 and the Governments proposals for a standard methodology in arriving at a new figure. The Council have suggested that the target should be increased from 285 to 366 new homes a year. This would appear and ambitious target given that the Council is currently unable to demonstrate a five year housing land supply, so new strategic sites will need to be identified.
The Council propose continuing with the current spatial strategy, focussing growth at the main towns of Blandford, Gillingham and Shaftesbury. The only real departure being to elevate the status of Stalbridge, so that it too contributes towards meeting the strategic needs of the District. Several large sites on the edge of the main towns have been identified as having development potential. The approach to growth within the larger villages and countryside remains broadly unchanged; with Neighbourhood Plans viewed as a suitable mechanism for delivering homes to meet local needs.
If you would like to find out more or promote land through the local plan process, please contact us.