Marnhull Neighbourhood Plan 2024 to 2038

Overview

Marnhull Parish Council has prepared a neighbourhood plan.  Dorset Council must now arrange for its independent examination.

Before the examination, Dorset Council is consulting on the neighbourhood plan for a period of 6 weeks. This is a regulation 16 consultation and will take place between 8 August and 19 September 2025 (inclusive). Representations made at this stage can include a request to be notified of Dorset Council's decision under regulation 19 in relation to the neighbourhood plan.

To view the plan, click on the image below - the plan will open in a new browser tab.

The plan is accompanied by the following technical documents:

• Consultation Statement
• Basic Conditions Statement 
• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) report

The plan is also accompanied by the following evidence base documents:

• Marnhull - Design Guidance and Codes
• Marnhull - Views Report
• Marnhull - Village Traffic Survey
• Marnhull - Conservation Area Appraisal

If you have difficulties accessing any of these documents, or would like to respond in an alternative way, please contact us using the details on this page. 

You can also request a copy by email or post by emailing neighbourhoodplanning@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk, phoning 01258 484224, or writing to Spatial Planning, Dorset Council, County Hall, Dorchester DT1 1XJ. A set of paper copies of the consultation documents will be charged at £26 plus £5 p&p.

Why your views matter

This consultation is an opportunity for individuals, organisations and businesses to comment on the plan. 

All representation received during the consultation period will be made available to the independent examiner. The examiner will consider whether the plan meets certain basic conditions and satisfies other legal requirements. The basic conditions are:

• is it appropriate to make the plan, having regard to national planning policies and advice contained in guidance issued by the Secretary of State;
• does the plan contribute to achieving sustainable development;
• is the plan in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan for the area (in this case, the North Dorset Local Plan Part 1);
• the plan does not breach the requirements of Chapter 8 of Part 6 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017; and
• the plan does not breach and is otherwise compatible with EU obligations and human rights requirements.

If the examiner finds that the neighbourhood plan meets all these requirements, or can be modified in order to meet them, then a public referendum will be held. This is normally limited to voting-age residents within the neighbourhood plan area. 

If the plan receives a positive referendum result, its policies will be used to make decisions on relevant planning applications in Marnhull alongside other appropriate development plan policies.