THERE'S just a few days left for people to have a say on a blueprint for future growth which envisages thousands of new homes built around Weymouth and Dorchester.

New land has been identified for housing and employment needs – which council chiefs have been asking for views on – to support new jobs, strengthen the economy and attract investment.

As the consultation comes to an end, strong views have already been expressed about the unsuitability of some housing sites.

The local plan sets out in broad terms what type of development is acceptable and where. Planning decisions are then made in accordance with the plan.

West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council were urged by a government inspector to conduct an early review of the 2015 Joint Local Plan because there wasn't enough land to meet housing need.

The overall requirement up to 2031 is for 15,500 new homes – but the plan only provided for 14,855, a shortfall of 645.

The inspector went further however and said the plan should also consider development five years beyond 2031 – an additional 3,875 homes.

So the plan needs to identify enough land to accommodate at least this total of 4,520.

Additional growth is expected to focus on Dorchester and Weymouth – including Chickerell and parts of Littlemoor – as well as Beaminster, Bridport, Lyme Regis, Portland , Sherborne and Crossways.

A proposed development site at Wyke Oliver Farm, Preston, has angered some locals.

Andrea Edmonds says people area 'incensed' by proposals to allocate the land for a potential 300 homes with some even 'in tears'.

She said the site was 'totally unsuitable' given flooding issues, it is accessed by minor roads, and the Preston area was already well populated and couldn't support further housing.

Mrs Edmonds claimed many residents weren't even aware of the plans for housing until very recently.

Views on development options have been sought through a consultation which has included public drop-in sessions in February and March. The consultation ends this Monday, April 3.

View all the documents relation to the local plan and comment via dorsetforyou.gov.uk For more details call 01305 252386

 

Development options for Weymouth include:

Wyke Oliver Farm (300 homes)

West of Relief Road, Upwey (180 homes)

South of Wey Valley (200 homes)

 

Development options for Dorchester include:

North of Dorchester, west of Slyer's Lane (3,200 homes)

North of Dorchester, west of A35 (3,000 homes)

South east of Charminster (2,100 homes)

 

Development options for Chickerell include:

West of Southill (350 homes)

Adjacent to Budmouth College (100 homes)

 

Development options for Crossways include:

West Crossways (250 homes)

Warmwell Airfield Quarry (500 homes)

 

Development options for Bridport include:

East of Wychside Close (160 homes)

Happy Island Way (230 homes)

Land north of Watford Lane/Gore Lane (290 homes)