An important part of the planning system is gathering evidence and factual information to help identify the issues and needs of the area.

Evidence can come from reports, strategies, specific pieces of research and from a wide range of sources including organisations that operate at a local level or organisations that operate on a wider level but have specialist knowledge or expertise. DorsetExplorer is a web-based mapping system that includes useful information on map based evidence such as designations and floodplains.

Information from a variety of sources including a number of existing reports in the evidence base and the following new evidence will be used to produce the Review of the Local Plan:

Document Title Publication Date

West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) - 2018

August 2018

Review of Managed Realignment Area for Charmouth, Dorset

July 2018

West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland Strategic Landscape and Heritage Study

July 2018

West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council: Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

April 2018

West Dorset: Sport and Leisure Facilities Needs Assessment - Final Report

Weymouth and Portland: Sport and Leisure Facilities Needs Assessment - Final Report

April 2018

Joint Retail and Commercial Leisure Study

March 2018
West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland Objectively Assessed Housing Need: Latest Evidence Technical Note August 2017
Appeal decision - Ryme Road Yetminster January 2017
Moreton Crossways transport study - am peak final December 2016
West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) Update 2016 - Part 1 December 2016
West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) Update 2016 - Part 2 December 2016
Moreton Crossways transport study - inter peak final November 2016
Dorset Strategic Planning Forum - letter to Gavin Barwell MP October 2016
Bournemouth Dorset & Poole Workspace Strategy - October 2016 October 2016
Uplyme Neighbourhood Plan 2016 – 2031 October 2016
West Dorset DC Executive report - interim position on affordable housing - 09 08 2016 August 2016
Summary of Cross Boundary Planning Issues in Dorset March 2016

West Dorset DC - formal response to proposed changes to the NPPF 19 02 2016

February 2016

Written Ministerial Statement HCWS50 Brandon Lewis MP 28 11 2014

November 2014

Natural Value - The state of Dorset’s Environment

2014

Landscape Institute position statement on Green Infrastructure

March 2013
Green Infrastructure Guidance – Natural England January 2009
ONS Projection of the UK labour force to 2020 - Labour force trends Jan 2006 January 2006

There are also new studies are being carried out where we are currently seeking an input:

Land Availability 'call for sites'

West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council are reviewing their recently adopted Joint Local Plan. To help in this process the councils are carrying out a 'call for sites' to identify sites that may have potential for development over the next 15 years and beyond. If you are aware of any site(s) that may have development potential you can still let us know by completing and submitting our site submission form.

Brownfield Register

Local councils are required to set-up and maintain a register of brownfield sites. West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council have launched their Brownfield Registers. Brownfield land registers are intended to provide up-to-date and consistent information on brownfield sites that local authorities consider to be appropriate for residential led development.

Self Build Register

Local councils are required to set-up and maintain a register of individuals and groups who are interested in building their own home. North Dorset, West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland Councils have launched their self-build and custom housebuilding register. The register is open to anyone interested in building a self-build home within the North Dorset, West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland areas.

Green Infrastructure Network

The Green Infrastructure Network (GI network) is a network that links areas used for; 

  • biodiversity
  • landscape
  • amenity
  • recreation

These can apply to areas in rural or urban environment.

The network can include; parks, open spaces, playing fields, woodlands, street trees, allotments, private gardens, streams, canals and other water bodies and features such as green roofs and walls.

The Preferred Options consultation is consulting on the proposed interactive GI network.

Local Plan Review Background Papers

We produced a series of background papers to support the Issues and Options for the Local Plan Review. As work progresses on the production of our "preferred options" these background papers will be updated to explain how consultation comments and new evidence have been taken into account.