Friday 23 February 2018

Getting the work-blog balance right...

Long time no blog!

People talk about a work-life balance, I am beginning to think there should also be a work-blog balance, and over the last year I have failed quite dramatically to get this right!

So, a new blog page for what seems to be coinciding with a very Spring-like day.  To get the ball rolling I thought I would do a very brief catch-up on some of the Neighbourhood Plan milestones being reached around Dorset in recent months - though I have cut down the list to those reaching the final stages, as it was getting far too long for a blog!!
  • Broadstone - examiners report received with the thumbs-up to proceed to referendum
  • Broadwindsor - options consultation carried out late last year and work has started on their draft plan, which should be out for its pre-submission consultation before the summer
  • Buckland Newton - passed its referendum early November (60% in favour, 38% turnout) and officially 'made' at Full Council on 7 December. 
  • Fontmell Magna - about to submit for their examination
  • Gillingham - examination underway
  • Hazelbury Bryan - pre-submission consultation hopefully starting late March
  • Holwell - at its plan-drafting stage, which should be out for its pre-submission consultation before the summer
  • Iwerne Minster - having had a lot of activity around its pre-submission consultation, they have recently touched base with their community to establish whether they are still on track
  • Piddle Valley - referendum being scheduled for this April
  • Pimperne - about to submit for their examination
  • Sturminster Newton - plan submitted for its examination
  • Wareham - at its plan-drafting stage, pre-submission consultation hopefully starting late April
And this list doesn't include the many others out there all making good progress. 

The continued planning activity around the county has brought into focus the importance of a Neighbourhood Plan when the lack of a 5 years housing land supply undermines the Local Plan policies - more on that 'perfect storm' in a future blog...