Maiden Newton and Frome Vauchurch residents have the opportunity to shape their community through the development of a Neighbourhood Plan.
West Dorset District Council has received a request from Maiden Newton Parish Council and Frome Vauchurch Parish Meeting for the approval of a Neighbourhood Area, which is the first formal stage of preparing a plan.
A Neighbourhood Plan aims to give residents more control over their local area, when plans for new homes, shops and offices in their town or village are considered.
Residents who have any comments about whether this is the right area for the Neighbourhood Plan to cover can send them to the Spatial Policy team at West Dorset District Council by 9 July.
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.
Cllr Anthony Alford, Leader of West Dorset District Council, said: “Residents in Maiden Newton and Frome Vauchurch have a great chance to plan the future of their area.
“Anyone who wishes to have their say on the neighbourhood plan area can do so by sending their comments to the district council.”
Residents can comment by post at West Dorset District Council, South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester, DT1 1UZ or email [email protected]
Those interested in helping with the preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan can contact Neville Higman by email at [email protected] or by phone on 01300 320178.
Any parish council or parish meeting that might be interested in forming a neighbourhood plan should contact [email protected] for more information.
More info:
Neighbourhood plans were introduced in the Localism Act which Government passed in 2011.
In areas where there is a parish council, the parish council has been given the powers to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan. In other areas a neighbourhood forum must be designated for this purpose.
West Dorset District Council has a duty to provide technical advice and support to those communities who wish to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan. The district council is also responsible for approving the neighbourhood area.
More information on Neighbourhood Plans can be found at https://www.dorsetforyou.com/neighbourhoodplanning/west/weymouth
