Christchurch | Posted on July 22nd, 2026 | return to news

Christchurch plan community consultation

Christchurch residents have until 6 September to comment on the Draft Neighbourhood Plan which covers housing needs.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has launched a public consultation on the Christchurch Neighbourhood Plan, with the deadline for responses being 6 September.

The draft plan has been prepared by Christchurch Town Council and has been shaped by years of community engagement involving residents, businesses, schools, community organisations and statutory consultees. This consultation gives the public an important opportunity to comment on the plan before it is considered by an independent examiner.

The plan includes policies covering: meeting local housing and employment needs; high-quality design standards including shopfront design, local heritage assets and important views; the town centre, shops and services and protecting against loss of public car parks; promoting walking, cycling and traffic management; local Green Spaces and improved biodiversity and supporting development on strategic sites

The draft plan reflects views gathered through extensive consultation since 2021, where an initial scoping consultation received more than 1,280 responses, through extensive public events, school engagement projects, town centre consultations and formal stakeholder engagement.

Feedback throughout the process has highlighted the importance residents place on Christchurch’s historic character, waterfront, green spaces and unique identity, while also identifying concerns around traffic congestion, parking, housing affordability, climate change, biodiversity and the future vitality of the town centre.

This consultation is being carried out by BCP Council as part of the statutory neighbourhood planning process before the draft plan proceeds to independent examination. The examiner will consider all comments received together with examining whether the plan meets basic conditions and legal requirements. The examiner will produce a report which may recommend modifications to enable it to proceed to a local referendum. The examiner’s report and the Plan will then be considered by Cabinet for decision before it can progress to a local referendum.

Cllr Millie Earl, leader of BCP Council, said: “Christchurch is a place with a strong sense of identity, rich heritage and passionate local communities. This draft Neighbourhood Plan sets out a community-led vision for how the area can evolve while protecting the qualities that make it special.

“This consultation is an important opportunity for residents, businesses and stakeholders to have their say before the plan moves forward to independent examination. I encourage everyone to get involved and help shape the future of Christchurch for generations to come.”

People can take part by visiting: haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/np-christchurch
All the consultation documents are available to view and download on the main consultation webpage. Paper copies are also available on request from any BCP library.