Following two weeks of public hearings this summer on the Purbeck Local Plan, an additional three days of sessions are now planned for October. The hearings, which took place in July and August, saw discussions on a range of topics including housing allocations, second homes, employment, infrastructure and green belt.
Councillors, Dorset Council officers, residents and interested organisations took part in the sessions and members of the public attended to watch the proceedings
Due to a large amount of content covered in the two weeks, the inspector chose to move three topics to an additional three days of public hearings in the autumn.
Hearing dates
These will be held on Wednesday 9, Thursday 10 and Friday 11 October and will cover housing supply and affordable housing as well as habitats regulations assessments.
Everyone who is participating in the hearings is being contacted by the programme officer, however members of the public are welcome to observe.
Further details of what will be discussed, timings and location are available on the council’s website at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/purbeck-local-plan-examination The council’s Planning Policy team can also be contacted on 01929 556561.
Cllr David Walsh, portfolio holder for planning said:
“The Purbeck Local Plan is at an advanced stage and we have welcomed the valuable input residents and businesses have provided.
“It is vitally important the inspector is able to give every topic her full consideration and the final set of hearings has been organised for the earliest possible date.
“This further set of hearings will take us a step closer to adoption of the Purbeck Local Plan by Dorset Council. It will be used in determining planning applications in the Purbeck Local Plan area.”
The Purbeck Local Plan covers issues such as how to protect the area’s outstanding environment, where housing will be built, restricting the number of second homes, and retaining community facilities.
Consultations on the Purbeck Local Plan took place in 2015, 2016 and 2018. The council also engaged with town and parish councils, experts, individuals, residents’ groups and planning professionals.
See more about the Purbeck Local Plan review.
The Dorset Local Plan
On 25 June 2019 Dorset Council cabinet agreed to stop progressing work on the Local Plan Reviews for the former District Councils with the exception of Purbeck Local Plan 2019-2034.
The council has begun work on a new Dorset-wide Local Plan. Where possible, information and evidence gathered as part of the review of the former District Council local plans will be used to inform the new Dorset Local Plan. See more about planning.
