Askerswell Neighbourhood Plan

Following a 'yes' vote in the referendum on 21 November 2018, West Dorset District Council officially 'made' the Askerswell Neighbourhood Plan on 10 January 2019.

West Dorset District Council has taken the decision to make the Askerswell Neighbourhood Plan (as modified in accordance with the Examiner's recommendations) part of the development plan for the Askerswell neighbourhood area. The Report to Council and the Adoption Decision Statement are available.

Askerswell Neighbourhood Plan Referendum Result

The Askerswell Neighbourhood Plan referendum was held on Wednesday 21 November 2018.  From an electorate of 138 there was a turnout of 63 (45.65%).  The result totalled 52 in favour (82.5%) and 11 votes against (17.5%).

Askerswell Neighbourhood Plan Referendum

Following the successful examination of the Askerswell Neighbourhood Plan, West Dorset District council agreed to enable the plan, as amended to proceed to referendum. The council released a Decision Statement to this effect.

The referendum was held on Wednesday 21 November 2018 across the Askerswell parish area.

Hard copies of the Askerswell Neighbourhood Plan (as proposed and amended as a result of the examination)and supporting material can be viewed at County Hall, Dorchester and Bridport Town Council offices.

In addition, Askerswell Neighbourhood Forum intends to ensure copies of these documents are available locally. The additional evidence is available available as part of the submission of the Neighbourhood Plan which includes:

Neighbourhood Plan examination

An independent examiner Mr David Hogger was appointed after the decision to submit the Neighbourhood Plan for examination earlier this year. His examination report was released on 14 August 2018 with the recommendation that the Askerswell Neighbourhood Plan should subject to modification, proceed to referendum.

Following the submission of the Askerswell Neighbourhood Plan for examination, the examiner wrote to us and Askerwell Neighbourhood Forum on the 28 June 2018 to clarify several initial procedural matters and ask a small number of preliminary questions. We responded to the examiner on the 29 June 2018a alongside a separate response by Askerswell Neighbourhood Forum also dated 29 June 2018b.

As part of his examination of the plan, the independent examiner has to consider whether the plan meets certain basic conditions and satisfies legal requirements.

The basic conditions are set out in the legislation, and are intended to ensure that neighbourhood plans fit within their wider context. The plan must:

  • have regard to national planning policies and guidance
  • contribute to achieving sustainable development
  • be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan i.e. the West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland Adopted Local Plan
  • be compatible with European Union law and human rights obligations

The examiner was also required to consider the area over which a referendum should be held. His recommendation on this point was that the  Askerswell Neighbourhood Area was appropriate.

The council will now consider the recommendations set out in the examiners report and decide how to proceed. If the neighbourhood plan is supported by a local referendum, it will be used to make decisions on planning applications.

Consultation on the submitted plan

We are required to consult on the plan proposals before the examination takes place. People were given 6 weeks from Monday 12 March 2018 until Monday 23 April  2018 to raise concerns they had about the plan with regard to the content and how it was prepared. An independent examiner was appointed and any concerns were passed on to them for consideration as part of the examination process.

The  Askerswell Neighbourhood Plan Submission Draft is available to read together with the supporting documents which are as follows:

Additional evidence:

A hard copy of the plan is available at County Hall, Dorchester and at Bridport Town Council Offices. The plan and the supporting documents can also be viewed on the Askerswell Parish website.