Residents across West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland are being asked for their views on the latest modifications to the draft joint Local Plan.

A public consultation will run from Thursday, July 31 until 11 September 2014 so comments can be made about the changes.

West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council submitted the plan to the Government’s Planning Inspector in June 2013 and a meeting was held in January this year to discuss some of the inspector’s comments and concerns.

Both councils agreed to suspend the examination in March for up to six months to address the issues raised by the Planning Inspector.

One of the main changes is to increase the housing requirement to 775 homes per year across the plan area of West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland. No new sites are proposed at this time, but the plan period is being reduced to 2028.

The draft Local Plan sets out a long term planning strategy to meet future housing, employment and leisure needs. It also looks at how climate change can be tackled, the environment protected and how future developments can be made more sustainable.

It covers important issues such as where housing could be built, how the economy can be boosted and what infrastructure may be needed.

For a full list of changes and to comment on the plan visit www.dorsetforyou.com/localplanexamination/west/weymouth The councils would only like to hear the views of the public on the latest changes to the plan as comments from previous consultations in 2012 and 2013 have already been taken into consideration.

Cllr Robert Gould, Leader of West Dorset District Council, said: “We have been working hard to address the issues the Planning Inspector raised in January and we would now like to hear the views of the public before the plan is re-submitted.”

Cllr Ian Roebuck, Weymouth & Portland brief holder for Environment and Sustainability, said: “We have taken the comments from the Inspector on board when making the latest changes.”

After the consultation the councils will analyse the results and submit the plan to the Planning Inspector.

Comments can be submitted online at www.dorsetforyou.com/localplanexamination/west/weymouth, by email at s.policy@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk or in writing to:

Spatial and Community Policy West Dorset District Council South Walks House Council Offices South Walks Road Dorchester DT1 1UZ

Or

Spatial and Community Policy Weymouth & Portland Borough Council North Quay Weymouth DT4 8TA

If you wish to find out more information about this consultation or the Local Plan, please contact 01305 252386