THE proposed Local Plan for West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland has been reopened for examination.

West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council decided to suspend the examination of their draft joint Local Plan for six months in March due to issues raised by the planning inspector.

More evidence has now been gathered and hearings have resumed at the WDDC offices in Dorchester and will be ongoing for the next three weeks.

The Local Plan sets out a long term planning strategy for the area up to the year 2031 and includes detailed policies and site proposals for housing, employment, leisure and infrastructure. At the first hearing on November 25, the examination addressed the spatial strategy outlined in the Local Plan.

This addressed the effectiveness and sustainability of development options outlined in the plan, and questioned matters such as whether the proposed distribution of housing and employment were appropriate to the needs of the area.

Hearings are open to the public and will continue throughout the rest of this week, addressing the spatial, economy, housing, and environment and climate change strategies.