Neighbourhood Plan Examination
An independent examiner Andrew Mead BSc (Hons) MRTPI MIQ was appointed to examine the Wimborne St Giles Neighbourhood Plan. On 2 December 2024 the examiner wrote to Dorset Council and Knowlton Parish Council to issue his Examination Report.
The examiner wrote to Dorset Council and Knowlton Parish Council on 30 September 2024 to clarify several initial procedural matters and ask a number of questions. Knowlton Parish Council and Dorset Council both wrote back to the Examiner on the 24 October 2024. In response to question 3.e, correspondence from Natural England was also forwarded to the Examiner at the same time.
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 i.e. the Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy and saved policies of the East Dorset 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 Wimborne St Giles 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 Monday 12 August until Tuesday 24 September 2024 (midnight). The responses received during this period are below.
Wimborne St Giles Neighbourhood Plan Responses Table
| Document Reference | Response |
|---|---|
| WSG01 | Avison Young on behalf of National Grid Electricity Transmission |
| WSG02 | Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs National Landscape |
| WSG03 | Dorset Council – Spatial Planning |
| WSG04 | Environment Agency |
| WSG05 | Gary Cox |
| WSG06 | Historic England |
| WSG07 | National Highways |
| WSG08 | Natural England |
Consultation on the Submitted Plan
The Wimborne St Giles Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted for examination.
As the local planning authority, the council is required to consult on the plan proposals before the examination takes place. The consultation process ran from Monday 12 August until Tuesday 24 September 2024 (midnight). This was an opportunity for individuals and organisations to raise concerns they had about the plan with regard to the content and how it has been prepared. An independent examiner has been appointed and any concerns will be passed on to them for consideration as part of the examination process.
The Wimborne St Giles Neighbourhood Plan is available to read together with the supporting documents which are as follows:
- Wimborne St Giles Neighbourhood Plan 2021 to 2036, April 2024
- Consultation Statement, April 2024
- Basic Conditions Statement, March 2024 updated July 2024
- SEA Environmental Report, May 2024
- Habitats Regulation Assessment Report, April 2024 updated July 2024
- Wimborne St Giles Neighbourhood Area Map, July 2021
Supporting evidence
- 2021 census stats – area profile: 2023
- Countryside Design Summary - Supplementary Planning Guidance No.21, August 1999
- Cranborne Chase AONB Good Practice Note 7a - Recommendations for Dark-Sky compliant lighting on new builds & refurbishments, in and around the AONB area, February 2022
- Cranborne Chase AONB Landscape Character, Land Use Consultants, 2003
- Cranborne Chase AONB Management Plan 2019 – 2024, 2019
- Cranborne Chase AONB Position Statement 9 - Field Scale Photovoltaic Panels, June 2016
- Cranborne Chase AONB Position Statement 12 – Biodiversity Net Gain, May 2022
- Dorset and BCP Local Housing Needs Assessment, Iceni Projects Limited, Nov 2021
- Dorset Biodiversity Appraisal Protocol guidance documents, Dorset Council, 2023
- Dorset Council Local Plan - Options (consultation draft), Dorset Council, January 2021
- Dorset Local Plan Viability Assessment, report for Dorset Council by Three Dragons, May 2022 (published December 2022)
- East Dorset and Christchurch Local Plan Part 1 - Core Strategy, April 2014
- East Dorset Landscape Character Assessment, October 2008
- East Dorset Local Plan Review - Options (consultation draft), July 2018
- East Dorset Local Plan, January 2002
- Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings - How to Improve Energy Efficiency, Historic England, June 2018
- Guidance notes for Residential Development, Dorset Council, October 2022
- Housing Needs Survey – Final Report, Knowlton Parish Council, 2017
- Improving the Energy Performance of Privately Rented Homes in England and Wales, DBEIS, September 2020
- Inclusive Mobility A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure, DoT, December 2021
- Natural Environment Team Advice Note for ecological consultants and developers: Sustainable Drainage Systems, Dorset Council, 2021
- ONS 2011 Census Area profile – Wimborne St Giles Parish
- Ordnance Survey historic maps (various), National Library of Scotland
- Site Options & Assessment Wimborne St Giles Neighbourhood Plan, AECOM, March 2022
- The Local Development Scheme for Dorset Council, October 2022
- Wimborne St Giles Conservation Area Appraisal, Supplementary Planning Guidance No.16, April 2006
- Wimborne St Giles Design Guidance and Codes, AECOM, August 2022
A hard copy of the Neighbourhood Plan will be available for public inspection at Verwood Library and Wimborne St Giles Church during their usual opening hours.