Dorset Council looking for land as it launches ‘Call for Sites 2024’

Dorset Council has announced the opening of its ‘Call for Sites 2024’, when we invite landowners to submit land for consideration as part of the Dorset Council Local Plan. The deadline for submissions is 20 December 2024.

This initiative seeks land with potential for:

• Housing
• Employment
• Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers, and Travelling Showpeople.

Submissions will be evaluated based on their suitability for the proposed use, looking at relevant planning policies, site characteristics, and any supporting information or evidence provided. The viability of development and any potential limitations on land use will also be considered.

Landowners should note that sites previously submitted to any Dorset Council Call for Sites should not be resubmitted unless there have been material changes, such as alterations in site extent or intended use.

Submission guidance can be found online. To submit a site via the online survey, please visit the Dorset Council Land Availability webpage.

Cllr Shane Bartlett, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, said:

“As a statutory Planning Authority, Dorset Council has a responsibility to deliver set housing numbers, determined by the government. Keeping an up-to-date record of available land for various types of development is crucial for the future of our council area. As stewards of this region, we must balance the future needs of residents for housing, employment, health, and leisure with the responsibility of preserving and managing the unique environments that make Dorset special.”

For any enquiries regarding the ‘Call for Sites’, please contact the Planning Policy Team at planningpolicy@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or call 01305 838334.