The Purbeck Local Plan, which is intended to provide the framework for future planning decisions across the area, has now been put out to public consultation for the final time.
The planning document was first conceived more than five years ago by the now defunct Purbeck District Council (PDC), to set out strategies for meeting the area’s need for more new homes while conserving the natural environment and beauty of Purbeck.
The area covered by the document is the old PDC region, which includes Bere Regis, Lytchett Matravers, Wareham, West Lulworth and Wool, as well as Swanage.
There are chapters on environment, housing, economy and local infrastructure.
Cottages in Wareham
Restricting the sale of new properties as second homes
It also includes a policy for restricting the sale of new properties as second homes. The latest version of the plan includes this paragraph:
“New housing in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) will only be supported where there is a restriction in perpetuity to ensure that such homes are occupied only as a principal residence. This policy will also be applied to changes of use to residential (p169).”
There’s also sections on renewable energy (p50), sustainable drainage systems to reduce flooding (p53), locations for future housing development with Wool and Moreton Station identified as key areas for more housing (p95), and affordable housing requirement for developments of more than two homes (p145).
The plan will be sent to the Planning Inspector
After this final stage of consultation by Dorset Council, the plan will be sent to the Planning Inspector to consider. She will decide whether the plan can be found legally compliant and sound. If so, Dorset Council councillors at full council will then take a decision on whether to adopt the local plan.
The Purbeck Local Plan reflects the latest government policy and guidance and also takes into account the views of local people. There were earlier consultations carried out in 2015, 2016, 2018 and in the public hearing sessions held in 2019.
After the scrapping of Purbeck District Council, the plan is now in the hands of Dorset Council as to whether they wish to make it policy.
Lulworth is a very popular village
“Looking forward to seeing its completion”
Councillor David Walsh, Dorset Council portfolio holder for planning, said:
“The former Purbeck District Council had progressed this plan significantly and we are looking forward to seeing its completion. The hard work of everyone concerned in getting this plan to this stage will be very useful for the Dorset Council Local Plan.”
Anyone who wishes to respond, must do so by 11.45 pm on Friday 8th January 2021.
Read the latest version of the Purbeck Local Plan
Most recent version of the Purbeck Local Plan with the latest modifications
All the documents relating to the consultation can be found on the Dorset Council website
To submit a response to the consultation complete this form
