Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council have prepared a Strategic Green Belt Review of the South East Dorset Green Belt.  The councils needed to undertake the review because a significant proportion of South East Dorset, and the countryside around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, is designated as part of this Green Belt. Both councils are obliged to take account of the Green Belt when preparing their new local plans.

Dorset Council’s draft development strategy for meeting Dorset’s needs for new homes and employment land, as presented in the consultation draft of the Dorset Council Local Plan, specifically takes Green Belt into consideration, along with:

  • the role of Dorset’s four functional areas;

  • the role of settlements within these areas;

  • environmental constraints; and

  • the need to encourage sustainable patterns of growth and land supply.

The harm assessments, presented in the second stage of the review, have been considered when assessing whether there could be ‘exceptional circumstances’ for changes to Green Belt boundaries. The council will be presenting further details of its approach to development in the Green Belt in a specific background paper as part of the consultation relating to the Dorset Council Local Plan.

Please find below the Stage 1 and Stage 2 assessment reports, along with associated appendices.

Stage 1 - Contribution Assessment

Stage 1 - Contribution Assessment - Main Report

Stage 1 - Contribution Assessment - Appendix A

Stage 1 - Contribution Assessment - Appendix B

Stage 2 - Harm Assessment 

Stage 2 Harm Assessment - Main Report

Stage 2 - Harm Assessment - Appendix A

Stage 2 - Harm Assessment - Appendix B