Askerswell residents are to shape their community through the development of a Neighbourhood Plan.
A Neighbourhood Plan gives residents more control over their local area and makes sure new homes and businesses are built where and how local people want them.
As there is no parish council Askerswell residents have established a neighbourhood forum to produce the plan and West Dorset DC is currently consulting on both the neighbourhood forum and the area the plan should cover.
Askerswell is the first community in the district to apply to become a neighbourhood forum.
The neighbourhood forum is proposing that the Neighbourhood Plan should cover the entire parish of Askerswell.
Once the plan is written, it will be consulted on locally and submitted to the district council for independent examination. It will also be subject to a local referendum to make sure it has the support of local people.
Chair of Askerswell Neighbourhood Forum Howard Atkinson said:“Askerswell Neighbourhood Forum hopes for the opportunity to put into place planning policies for appropriate development of our small community set below Eggardon Hill in the beautiful Dorset countryside”.
Cllr Robert Gould, Leader of West Dorset District Council, said: “This is a great chance for Askerswell residents to shape the future of their community.
“If you wish to have your say on the neighbourhood plan area, you can do so by sending your comments to the district council.”
Details of the forum and area applications together with how to comment are available on line at www.dorsetforyou.com/neighbourhoodplanning/west/weymouth or at council offices.
Alternatively you can write to the spatial policy team at West Dorset District Council, South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester, DT1 1UZ any comments should be made by Friday 19 December 2014.
Following a public consultation West Dorset District Council has agreed the neighbourhood plan area for Charmouth and details of this can be found at the same web address. There are now nine communities across the district with an agreed neighbourhood plan area.
