The Local Plan

The North Dorset District Wide Local Plan was adopted by the Council in January 2003. It comprises a written statement and a set of proposals maps that cover the whole District.

To view the Local Plan click on the link www.northdorsetlocalplan.co.uk  Alternatively you can purchase a copy of the Local Plan. Please see the Schedule of Documents.

The Proposals Maps can be downloaded in PDF format at a higher resolution for enhanced visualisation by following the instructions above the Proposal Map. Once the maps are downloaded the user has the ability to zoom in/out to adequately locate and determine policy designations for application sites.

Revision To Important Open Or Wooded Area Designated In The Local Plan.

On 29 April 2005 the Council acknowledged that an administrative error had been made when designating land at Yew House in Marnhull. At the time of setting up the Local Plan the land was wrongly designated as an IOWA. The future designation of this land will be reviewed as part of the Local Development Framework process.

For further information on this please email the planning policy department on planningpolicy@north-dorset.gov.uk

Saved Policies

Policies in the Local Plan will gradually be replaced by policies in the emerging Local Development Framework. Click on link to go to Saved Policies Page.

Village and Town Design Statements

Village and Town Design Statements describe the distinctive characteristics of a village or parish and provide design guidance to influence future development and improve the physical qualities of the area.

Supplementary Planning Guidance

The Council has also adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance on the following:

1. Planning Obligations for the Provision of Community Infrastructure.
2. Development Brief 2003: Land to the East of Shaftesbury.
3. Development Brief 2002: Land at Station Road South, Gillingham.  (Only available as a hard copy).
4. Re-use and Adaptation of Rural Buildings.
5. Interim Guidance on The Development of Areas of Amenity Open Space, Play Areas and Commuted Sums.

Click here to go to SPG Page

Please call Planning Policy at North Dorset District Council on (01258) 484201 or e-mail us for more details of this service.

Please note that we can not give information on development control issues, including progress on planning applications. For times when duty officers are available, please see the Development Control pages.