Consultation launched as Weymouth community submit their Neighbourhood Plan

After four years of intensive work by a team of dedicated Weymouth community members in collaboration with planning professionals, the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted to Dorset Council for examination.

This is a significant step closer for Weymouth residents to having greater influence over planning decisions in the designated Weymouth neighbourhood area.

A final version of the plan has been drawn up by local people, and agreed by the town council, who feel confident that the plan reflects the hopes and views of the local community.  

Neighbourhood plans were introduced in the Localism Act 2011 and aim to give the community more say in the future use of land and buildings in their area. For example, the plan can say where new homes, shops or offices might be built or where important green spaces might be protected.

If the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan is approved following examination, and supported by a local referendum, it will be used to inform decisions on planning applications in consultation with the National Planning Policy Framework and the adopted Local Plan.

Dorset Council is required to consult on the plan proposals before the examination can take place.

People who live, work or run a business in the Weymouth neighbourhood area have until Friday 7 March to raise any concerns they may have about the plan. These concerns will then be passed on to an independent examiner to consider.

Cllr Shane Bartlett, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, said:

“It takes a tremendous amount of work in order to pull together a Neighbourhood Plan. I congratulate all involved in getting to this stage.

Neighbourhood plans give local communities a real say in how their area should change over time. I would encourage anyone with an interest in the future development of Weymouth, to view the plan and submit any feedback they may have.”

A hard copy of the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan will also be available for public inspection at three local libraries; Weymouth library, Littlemoor Library, and Wyke Regis Library, and the Dorset Council offices during their usual opening hours.

Comments on the plan can be submitted through our online form. Alternatively comments can be emailed to NeighbourhoodPlanning@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or submitted by post to Spatial Planning, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ

Anyone commenting on the plan should let Dorset Council know if they wish to be kept informed of the progress of the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan.