Making the plan

The Stinsford Neighbourhood Plan was made (adopted) by Dorset Council on 21 June 2022. Following a majority 'yes' vote in the referendum, the decision was taken to make the Stinsford Neighbourhood Plan part of the development plan for the Stinsford neighbourhood area.

The Decision Statement and the 'made' Stinsford Neighbourhood Plan are available online and will be made available to view at the council's offices at County Hall, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ during normal opening hours.

Referendum Result

The Stinsford Neighbourhood Plan referendum was held on Thursday 5 May 2022 and asked residents: "Do you want Dorset Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Stinsford to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?" From an electorate of 261 there was a turnout of 124 (47.5%). The result: In Favour. YES votes 113 (91.1%) and NO votes 11 (8.9%). The full referendum results are also now available.

The plan will now proceed to Cabinet on 21 June 2022 where a decision will be made on making the Stinsford Neighbourhood Plan part of the development plan for the Stinsford Neighbourhood area.

Referendum

Dorset Council has agreed with the findings of the Examiner’s Report and the referendum will now take place on Thursday 5 May 2022. Documents relating to the referendum are listed below:

The information being made available is:

Decision to proceed to referendum

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

Neighbourhood Plan Examination

On 2 February 2022, the examiner wrote to Dorset Council and Stinsford Parish Council to issue his Examination Report.

An independent examiner Andrew Mead BSc (Hons) MRTPI MIQ has been appointed to examine the Stinsford Neighbourhood Plan. 

The examiner wrote to us and Stinsford Parish Council on the 6 December 2021 to clarify several initial procedural matters. On 14 December 2021 Dorset Council and Stinsford Parish Council received a letter from the examiner to ask a number of questions and a joint response was submitted to the examiner on the 8 January 2022.

As part of his examination of the plan, the 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 ie the West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland Adopted Local Plan
  • be compatible with European Union law and human rights obligations
  • not breach the requirements of Chapter 8 of Part 6 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

The examiner will provide a review of the plan and make recommendations in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act and related regulations.

If the neighbourhood plan is supported by a local referendum, it will be used to make decisions on planning applications.

Representations received to the submitted Stinsford Neighbourhood Plan

As the local planning authority, Dorset Council was required to consult on the plan review before the examination took place.  This consultation took place for six weeks from Wednesday 13 October 2021 until Wednesday 24 November 2021.  The responses received during this period can be viewed below.

Document Reference Response
STIN01 Jane Ashdown
STIN02 Rodney Alcock
STIN03

AJ & RG Barber Ltd and Mr & Mrs R Kirby
STIN04 CPRE
STIN05 Department for Education
STIN06 Dorset Council
STIN07 Gloucestershire County Council
STIN08 Highways England
STIN09 Historic England
STIN10 Kingston Maurward College and Estate
STIN11 Vivian Ledger
STIN12 Marine Management Organisation
STIN13 Neil Matthews
STIN14 Natural England
STIN15 Alistair Nesbit
STIN16

North Dorchester Consortium
STIN17 Robin Potter
STIN18 Linda Poulsen
STIN19 Andy Stillman
STIN20 Solmaz Tavsanoglu

Consultation on the Submitted Plan

As the local planning authority, the council is required to consult on the plan proposals before the examination takes place. The consultation process will run from Wednesday 13 October until Wednesday 24 November 2021 (midnight).  This is an opportunity for individuals and organisations to raise concerns they have about the plan with regard to the content and how it has been prepared. An independent examiner will be appointed and any concerns will be passed on to them for consideration as part of the examination process.

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

Supporting evidence:

Other supporting evidence can be viewed on the Stinsford neighbourhood plan website.

If you wish to comment please fill in the Response Form below by the end of Wednesday 24 November 2021.

Please email to NeighbourhoodPlanning@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or post to:

Spatial Planning, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ.