So much happening!

There has been a lot going on over the summer - so there are really no excuses for such a long blog drought.  I think the drought has been because I'm generally an up-beat optimist, and I was really disappointed in the NPPF's treatment of Neighbourhood Plans (the revisions could have been much more supportive of the localism concept and got rid of the prematurity loophole) - so I just couldn't bring myself to blog about that news! 

However last night's Neighbourhood Plan referendum result in Fontmell Magna is sufficient to turn things around and get me bouncing right back -

Turnout:    47.8%

Percentage in favour:   91.5%

This is a quite impressive result - in my experience only plans that avoid the whole question of allocating sites for development get over 90% approval rating.  The turnout is a really excellent too (higher than the other North Dorset Neighbourhood Plans).  And it certainly sets the benchmark for Pimperne in North Dorset, who will be next to the vote following their successful examination, although quite likely to be followed shortly by two more as the Examiners' reports are due any minute for Sturminster Newton and Hazelbury Bryan.

Well done to all the volunteers who put effort into the Fontmell Magna Neighbourhood Plan - a great result and here's hoping that it will be as influential as it should be in future planning decisions.

Lots of Local Plan activity around Dorset too - so that may well be my next blog post...

Over 90% support for Gillingham's Neighbourhood Plan

Big congratulations to the Gillingham, for the latest Neighbourhood Plan in Dorset to pass its referendum milestone.  It has taken a lot of commitment by the Neighbourhood Plan Group, who started as one of the front runners some 6 years ago.  I know the Neighbourhood Plan Group has put in considerable effort to prepare and consult on the plan, and also to ensure people were informed at this referendum stage - and I hope they are very proud of their achievement.

The votes were: 
Yes 1,919 (90.5%)
No 201 (9.5%)

This is a clear majority and means that the plan will go before North Dorset District Council on 27th July 2018 to agree the results of the referendum and agree to 'make' the plan part of the statutory development plan.    



Gillingham Neighbourhood Plan Group in action (2016)

PD or not PD?

Spotted on my travels this week - what appears to be a conversion under the permitted development rights to allow agricultural buildings to be converted to dwellings.  One original building (a grain store), physically separated into 2, upper part removed, no original openings retained as was, no sign of any of the original material…
Is this a conversion?
Answers on a postcard...

West Dorset and Weymouth Plan - emerging options now available to view

One to keep an eye on – the preferred options draft of the West Dorset and Weymouth Local Plan is now going through committees prior to consultation in August – October.  Click here for a look at the proposed policy changes and site allocations. 

Key points to note include:

• 2.5% increase on proposed growth (up to 794 dwellings per annum) – but the actual supply could in theory deliver 955 dwellings per annum as it would include a ‘buffer’ of about 3,200 homes above what is needed;
• New site specific allocations at all of the towns, plus Crossways.  This includes a major development north of Dorchester, significant growth at Sherborne, and the release of further sites at Crossways.  No specific allocations proposed in the area's villages; 
• Proposed approach to setting minimum growth figures for Neighbourhood Plan areas;
• More permissive approach for residential conversions in the countryside, providing the building is not completely isolated (so at a minimum should forms of a hamlet or group of buildings);
• More relaxed approach proposed on the size of replacement dwellings in the countryside;
• Small sites (up to 5 dwellings) will not be expected to make any affordable housing contributions for the foreseeable future.

Get in touch with me if this may effect you and you need some professional planning advice…

Broadstone Neighbourhood Plan - 95% vote 'yes'

Broadstone Neighbourhood Plan Referendum results are now in – 31% turnout (with over 2,600 people voting) and a resounding ‘yes’ from 95% of the voters.  Congratulations to all involved!

Internet traffic

No doubt you have all been on the receiving end of a flurry of emails this week due to the GDPR compliance deadline.  For those that may have gone unscathed, this piece of legislation has been brought in across the EU to deal with personal and sensitive data protection issues.  Like many other businesses I have been reviewing my procedures and have uploaded a privacy statement onto my website.  It has also made me ponder about how many 4 letter acronyms are left (and how many have been used in planning, which is renowned for its jargon).  I am also grateful that at least internet traffic is not the same as road traffic – otherwise there would have been absolute chaos on the roads this week, not to mention the smog!

And finally… like ships passing in the night, Hazelbury Bryan’s Pre-submission Consultation ended, while Holwell’s consultation began.  Luckily a lot of the far-flung statutory consultees can be emailed the various documents involved.  Congratulations to both groups on reaching this milestone.

Dorset Neighbourhood Plans - update

A few notable Neighbourhood Plan milestones achieved so far this month

• Piddle Valley Neighbourhood Plan's referendum took place yesterday (19 April) - the results have been declared with 75% in favour of the plan
• Gillingham's examination has now concluded, and the examiner's report has been published, signalling that this too can progress to referendum subject to some relatively modest amendments.
• Sturminster Newton's plan is now going through its pre-examination consultation
• The pre-examination consultation on the plan for Askerswell parish, created by their Neighbourhood Forum, ends on Monday.
• The plans for Fontmell Magna and Pimperne have also been submitted for their examination. 
• Hazelbury Bryan has published its pre-submission draft plan for consultation

A fantastic amount of effort by local volunteers representing their communities, so that local people can have more of a voice on the future of their area!