Residents from the Upper Marshwood Vale area, which covers the parishes of Marshwood, Bettiscombe, Stoke Abbott and Pilsdon, will have the opportunity to shape their community through the development of a neighbourhood plan.
West Dorset District Council has received a request from Upper Marshwood Vale Parish Council for the approval of a Neighbourhood Area, which is the first formal stage of preparing a neighbourhood plan.
A neighbourhood plan aims to give residents more control over the development and growth of their local area, for example, by setting out where new homes, shops and offices should be built in their town or village.
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 23 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 Jacqui Sewell, West Dorset District Council Member for the Broadwindsor ward, said: “Residents of the Upper Marshwood Vale have a great opportunity to shape the future of their local 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 post their comments to 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 John Vanderwolfe by email at [email protected] or by phone on 01297 34444.
Any parish council or parish meeting that might be interested in preparing a neighbourhood plan should contact [email protected] for more information.
