As part of the examination in public process, an independent planning inspector assessed whether the plan had been prepared in line with the relevant legal requirements and whether it was "sound".
Examination hearings took place between 25 November 2015 and 9 December 2015 to consider the soundness of the Plan.
West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council received the final report from Paul Crysell BSc MSc MRTPI, the Planning Inspector appointed to examine the West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland Local Plan in August 2015.
The Inspector's report contained a number of recommended Main Modifications necessary to enable the plan to be adopted. Links to the Inspectors Report and his main modifications can be found below:
- West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland Inspector's Report
- Inspector's recommended main modifications - appendix A Schedule of Main Modifications
- Inspector's recommended main modifications - appendix B Environment and Climate Change
- Inspector's recommended main modifications - appendix C Achieving a Sustainable Pattern of Development
Additional Modifications
The Councils prepared a schedule of Additional Modifications. The schedule listed minor changes to correct typographical errors, paragraph numbering, minor textual changes etc that were either so minor or otherwise have no bearing on soundness matters.
Adoption of the Local Plan
The Councils prepared a version of the Local Plan written statement incorporating the main modifications from the Inspector's Report and the additional modifications prepared by the Councils. This version and the findings of the Inspector's Report was considered by both Councils. The West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Local Plan was adopted by Weymouth & Portland Borough Council on 15 October 2015 and by West Dorset District Council on 22 October 2015.