Dorset Council - Planning System ​

The Government have published two consultations one of which sets out proposals for a completely new national planning system and the other proposes shorter-term amendments to the current system. Changes to the standard national methodology for working out local housing need would increase the amount to be planned for in Dorset. The longer-term overhaul of the planning system, binding housing targets for every council would be set by national government, taking into account household projections, local housing affordability, and environmental constraints.

Local plans would map every part of their area as suitable for growth, renewal or protection making sure that enough land is identified for growth to meet the housing target.  In areas identified for growth or renewal, developers would not need to apply for outline planning permission as this would automatically be secured for the forms and types of development specified in the plan. Communities would be involved at plan-making stage, but would not have the chance to comment again on the principle of development at application stage. 

A new infrastructure levy would replace the existing Community Infrastructure Levy and section 106 planning agreements.

The changes which would have a huge impact on the preparation of the new Dorset Council plan and suggests that the new style local plans should all be in place by 2024.
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View the consultation papers for changes to the current planning system and for the longer term changes. The deadlines for responses are 1 and 29 October 2020. ​

Search and comment on local planning applications
To see local planning applications, follow this link and then search by Ward or Parish or enter a house or place name or other keyword to find recent planning applications. 

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