Dorset, Political | Posted on February 12th, 2025 | return to news
Neighbourhood plans on the table for Dorset villages
People are urged to vote in a March referendum on local plans for the villages of Wimborne St Giles and Wool.
Neighbourhood plans are in the pipeline for two Dorset villages.
Following the successful examination of the Wimborne St Giles and Wool Neighbourhood Plans, Dorset Council has agreed that the plans, as amended, can go to referendum. Residents must be registered by 4 March to vote in these referendums.
Referendums will take place in Wimborne St Giles and Wool on Thursday 20 March, with local residents going to the polls to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the proposals.
The plans were drawn up by local people and agreed by their Parish Councils who felt confident that the plans reflect the hopes and views of their local communities.
Neighbourhood plans were introduced in the Localism Act 2011 and aim to give residents more say in the future use of land and buildings in their area. For example, a plan can say where new homes, shops or offices might be built or where important green spaces might be protected.
If a plan is supported by a local referendum, it will be used to inform decisions on planning applications in consultation with the National Planning Policy Framework and the adopted Local Plan.
Cllr Shane Bartlett, Dorset Council’s Cabinet member for Planning and Emergency Planning, said: “It takes a tremendous amount of work to pull together a Neighbourhood Plan. I congratulate all involved in getting to this stage.
“I would encourage anyone with an interest in the future development of Wimborne St Giles or Wool to view the plans and have their say.
“Residents will need to ensure that they are on the electoral roll if they intend to vote on the plans in these March referendums.”
The Wimborne St Giles neighbourhood plan can be viewed online with hard copies of the supporting material on display in the council offices at Colliton Park in Dorchester, Verwood Library, and Wimborne St Giles Church.
The Wool neighbourhood plan can be viewed online with hard copies of the supporting material on display in the council offices at Colliton Park in Dorchester and Wool Community Library.
To vote by post or proxy in these referendums, you will need to have filled in an application form and sent it to Electoral Registration.
Postal and proxy vote application forms are available online or by emailing the Electoral Services team or calling 01305 838299.
Applications to vote by post must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 5 March. To vote by proxy, application forms should be received by 5pm on Wednesday 12 March. Questions can be emailed to: neighbourhoodplanning@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Alternatively, they can be posted to: Spatial Planning, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ.
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