Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan 2019 to 2031 - First Review

Overview

Shaftesbury Town Council has prepared a review of its neighbourhood plan. Dorset Council must now arrange for its independent examination. 

Before the examination, Dorset Council must publicise and consult on the neighbourhood plan. This is a Regulation 16 consultation and will take place between 12 December 2025 and 30 January 2026 (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
• SEA Screening Report
• Modifications Statement

The current Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan (made June 2021) and its supporting evidence base documents are available on the Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan web page. 

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. 

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.

As this is a neighbourhood plan review, the examiner will also consider whether the changes are so significant or substantial as to change the nature of the plan. A referendum on the plan may be held if the examiner concludes that the nature of the plan will be changed.

If the revised plan successfully passes all the above steps, it will replace the existing neighbourhood plan. Its policies will be used to make decisions on relevant planning applications in Shaftesbury along with other appropriate development plan policies.