What is Neighbourhood Planning?

A Neighbourhood Plan is a document, that is produced by the community, that once accepted has statutory powers to influence planning decisions. It defines what local people value, want to conserve and enhance and further develop in terms of land use and further development in their area.

It also provides a historical and pictorial record of our community and sets out to document, what makes Portland so special.

Once adopted, Dorset Council, as our Local Planning Authority, will have to take notice of the planning considerations enshrined within our plan.

Creating a Neighbourhood Plan

Creating the Portland Plan required extensive evidence collection and consultation at each phase. Including the environment in which we live, the data relates to buildings, building materials, roads, hedges and walling, footpaths, open spaces, employment and business needs.

Using pictorial views around the Island, taken both looking into our villages and how our villages are seen from the surrounding area together with facts obtained from various organisations on how they see the Island.

As we embark on a limited review updated information and evidence will be compiled resulting in policy changes for those areas specified.

Creating a Neighbourhood Plan – The Legal Context

Dorset Council is responsible for progressing the Neighbourhood Plan and oversees the project and resources plans.

Dorset Council are the Local Planning Authority and are also required to support the development of a plan.

Recognition of the potential of developing a Neighbourhood Plan for Portland was included in the Draft Local Plan which was consulted on in June 2012. Work on the current plan has therefore been progressing since September 2012 when the Town Council approved its development and following two initial consultation events which were held in January 2013 various themes were identified.

The formal area of the plan was approved by the Local Planning Authority in November 2013.

In early 2014 a working group of community members were recognised by the Town Council their role is to undertake specific areas of work in progressing the plan. Currently these are:

• The compilation of information about the Island which impacts upon planning matters.
• The development of a Portland Plan website
• Survey work to inform the community and businesses current and future thinking.

For Further information about the above then please go to the Neighbourhood Plan document library.