By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

Dorset CPRE has welcomed Dorset Council’s decision to delay the Local Plan until 2026.

The countryside charity, which had been highly critical of the draft plan, says that the council should use the time to consult and work openly with communities on a Local Plan that responds to local people’s concerns, priorities and needs.

A spokesman said that the removal of the ‘duty to cooperate’ with neighbouring authorities means Dorset Council does not now need to make up for a shortfall of homes from the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area.

Peter Bowyer, chairman of the trustees of Dorset CPRE, said: “We call on the council to listen to our communities and stand up for the priorities and concerns that local people clearly expressed in consultation on the first draft Local Plan. We look forward to joining with local communities and councils, and with the Dorset Deserves Better partnership, in a positive and constructive discussion with the council about the Local Plan that Dorset wants and needs.”

Giles Watts of the Dorset Deserves Better Campaign said: “We welcome Dorset Council’s announcement which supports many of the issues we have been asking for. We applaud the council’s decision to listen to the concerns of local people and change direction in a way which we believe will be very positive for the future of Dorset. Nevertheless, we still have some concerns over the lack of emphasis on brownfield developments first and the impact of new greenfield developments on infrastructure and the natural environment. We believe that rewriting the Local Plan is a huge opportunity for the council to progress a radically different and exciting vision of the future based on renewable energy, green jobs, care for the natural environment and, ultimately, supporting the needs of the people of Dorset. We hope that Dorset Council will now work with us to help create and deliver this new vision for our future.”