ARE we really being 'consulted' on the Local Plan? The proposed housing numbers, including for the North Dorchester development, reflected in the Dorset Council Local Plan are determined by a central government algorithm not by local need and are not negotiable. In the absence of a Local Plan, landowners and developers, and not residents, will have the final say in any new housing. At the same time, if a Local Plan is rejected then central government will simply step in. You only have to look to the case of South Oxfordshire to see what lies ahead for us in Dorchester and the county. Despite little compelling evidence of need for 30,000 house to be built across green belt areas of Oxfordshire and overwhelming local opposition, the Secretary of State for Housing and Local Development, Robert Jenrick told the South Oxfordshire Council that if it didn't adopt their Local Plan it risked its powers to decide planning applications being taken out of its hands (Oxford Mail, December 11th, 2020).

The Dorset Council Local Plan reflects extraordinary dedicated work of our council officers, and residents should be reading and responding to the Plan. However, Councillor Walsh should come clean on the real scope of this consultation when he implores residents for the sake of their children and grandchildren to respond to the Local Plan.

Jane Ashdown

Linden Avenue

Dorchester