Dorset Council is proposing a new route for preparing its Local Plan after national planning changes.
The Government has introduced a new plan-making system, increased Dorset’s housing requirement and set a December 2026 deadline for plans continuing under the previous arrangements, while further evidence and assessment work is still required.
The council says it can no longer complete a sound plan through the old process before the deadline, creating a risk that further time and money could be spent on a document unable to pass independent examination.
Cabinet will consider moving to the new system on 28 July, with an initial scoping consultation expected later this year if the proposal is approved and preparation begins during the summer.
Councillor Shane Bartlett said the change was caused by national decisions made while councils were already preparing plans, adding: “We are not starting again from scratch.”
More than 9,000 consultation responses, research and technical studies will continue to inform the work, while independent reviews during preparation are intended to identify problems earlier in the process.
The new system aims to produce plans in around 30 months, although the council says this remains challenging for a large and complex area such as Dorset.
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