A NEW Local Plan to help guide and shape future development in Purbeck has been submitted to an independent planning inspector for examination.

Purbeck District Council engaged with town and parish councils, individuals, residents’ groups and planning professionals to produce the draft plan. It has also been the subject of public consultations in 2015, 2016 and 2018.

Councillor Gary Suttle, Leader of Purbeck District Council, said: “We started reviewing the Purbeck Local Plan Part 1 in 2015, and many people expressed concerns during the 2016 consultation particularly about the number of extra homes in the plan.

“We listened to their feedback and pledged to undertake a full review of the plan. The people of Purbeck are passionate about their local area and rightly so. Throughout the process, local opinions and views have been of paramount importance in shaping the plan we have submitted to the inspector. We thank all who have been involved.”

Using feedback received from the consultations and technical information gathered, the Purbeck Local Plan was prepared in 2018 and an opportunity provided last autumn to comment on the draft. Representations received have now been forwarded to the inspector to consider as part of the examination process.

The Council has also reviewed the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule which will be examined alongside the local plan. The levy raises funds from qualifying new development to provide new infrastructure.

The examination process

An inspector (appointed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary of State) will now conduct an examination of the Purbeck Local Plan and CIL schedule. It is anticipated that the examination will include public oral hearing sessions.

If the inspector considers changes are needed, there will be a further opportunity to comment prior to adoption by Dorset Council

The plan will then be used to determine planning applications and secure funding within the area of the new authority currently covered by Purbeck District Council.

Keep up-to-date at www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/purbeck-local-plan-submission