A LOCAL community has taken a step closer to having more influence over planning decisions in their area.

A final version of the Charmouth Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted to the council for examination.

The plan has been drawn up by local people, and agreed by the parish council, who feel confident that the plan reflects the hopes and views of the local community.

Neighbourhood plans were introduced in the Localism Act 2011 and aim to give residents more say in the future use of land and buildings in their area. For example, the plan can say where new homes, shops or offices might be built or where important green spaces might be protected.

Dorset Council is required to consult on the plan proposals before the examination can take place.

READ MORE: Portland and Chickerell residents vote to accept neighbourhood plans in local referendums

People who live, work or run a business in the Charmouth neighbourhood area have until the end of Friday July 30, to raise any concerns they may have about the plan. These concerns will then be passed on to an independent examiner to consider.

If the neighbourhood plan is approved following examination, the plan can proceed to a referendum where all Charmouth voters will be invited to vote on whether or not they would like to accept it.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for planning, said: “It takes a tremendous amount of work in order to pull together a Neighbourhood Plan. I congratulate all involved in getting to this stage.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in the future development of Charmouth, to view the plans and submit any feedback they may have.”

In areas where there is a parish council, the parish council has been given the powers to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan. In other areas a neighbourhood forum must be assigned for this purpose.

In the latest local elections in Dorset on May 6 referendums were held on neighbourhood plans for Arne, Blandford, Chickerell, Milton Abbas, Portland, Puddletown and Shaftesbury. All neighbourhood plans were given an overwhelming majority of votes in favour of the plans being accepted by local voters.

The plan can be viewed online at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/charmouth-neighbourhood-plan and on the Charmouth Neighbourhood Plan website https://www.charmouthparishcouncil.gov.uk/np-consultation-old