Two supplementary planning documents (SPD) have been published that will help Dorset Council decide on future developments in areas of the county that are protected.
The Poole harbour SPD sets out a strategy under which planning applications for residential development can be determined and avoid adverse effects on the integrity of the harbour, by mitigating the impact of additional visitors to the harbour that can cause disturbance to protected birds.
The Dorset Heathland Framework SPD has been in place since 2007. It sets out a strategy that allows development to mitigate its impact on protected heathland sites in the south east of Dorset. The new edition includes a change in the approach to funding in former east Dorset area, where all mitigation from unallocated sites will now be funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy.
Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for planning, said:
“These documents establish a framework to balance the economic needs of the county with our responsibilities as custodians of our natural environment.”
The documents cover Dorset Heathlands and Poole harbour and can be viewed online:
