The Inspector examining the North Dorset Local Plan Part 1 has issued his final Report concluding that the Plan provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the District, subject to incorporating a number of key modifications which have already been consulted upon. The Local Plan document will now be updated accordingly and taken forward for adoption by the Council, at which point it will form the Statutory Development Plan against which all planning applications will be determined.
Whilst it was acknowledged by the Inspector that the Plan fails to make overall provision to meet the District’s full objectively assessed housing need (figures for which were only published in the latter part of the Examination), the Inspector concludes that the Council is currently able to demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply and that only a 5% (rather than a 20%) buffer should be applied owing to past rates of delivery in the previous Plan period.
However, in acknowledgment of the Plan’s shortcomings, the Council has confirmed that it will start an immediate review by the end of March 2016 with a view to adopting a revised plan by the end of November 2018.
Should you require any further advice or information in connection with the new Local Plan and how this could influence your proposed development then please do not hesitate to contact us.