Dorset Council Local Plan - scoping consultation 2026

2.1.1.    It is important that the local plan, including its content, meets the requirements of legislation and national planning policy. At a later stage, a government-appointed inspector will examine the local plan and test whether it meets these requirements. It can only be adopted and be used to decide planning applications if it meets the requirements. An adopted local plan will help to ensure that development decisions are guided by a democratically prepared and evidence-based strategy, rather than on an ad hoc basis through speculatively prepared planning applications.

2.1.2.    The government has recently updated its main national planning policy (the National Planning Policy Framework or NPPF), which will guide the content of the local plan. The impact it has on the overall scope of the plan is shared below.

2.2.1.    There are certain strategic things that the NPPF says the local plan must do. These include, amongst other things:

• seek to meet housing and other development needs as a minimum, as well as unmet needs of neighbouring areas, unless protected areas or severe adverse impacts justify a restriction
• provide a strategy for a sustainable pattern of growth
• provide a strategy for environmental improvement
• seek to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects
• cover a period of at least 10 years once adopted