Dorset Council Local Plan Options Consultation

The Local Transport Plan consultation will now close on Monday 20 October and the Local Plan consultation will close on Friday 31 October.

Latest Updates

14th October 2025

From the Communications Team at Dorset Council:

We have extended the deadlines for both our Local Plan and Local Transport Plan consultations in response to high levels of public engagement and some problems with the online consultation platform, for which we apologise.

The Local Transport Plan consultation will now close on Monday 20 October and the Local Plan consultation will close on Friday 31 October.

The two consultations, which are running simultaneously, have generated significant interest from across the county but residents have said that the online surveys are very slow to load which has made it difficult for some people to submit their views.

We are sorry that residents have been frustrated by the complexity and time to complete the survey and have extended the deadline to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to take part.

Jan Britton, Dorset Council’s Executive Director responsible for planning and transport, said:

“We’re really encouraged by the level of interest in both consultations, it shows how much people care about the future of Dorset. We’re sorry that some residents have experienced issues accessing the online platform, and we want to make sure no one is prevented from having their say.

“That’s why we’re keeping both consultations open online and by email for longer. The Local Transport Plan consultation will stay open until 20 October and the Local Plan consultation until 31 October.

“We’re also reminding people that alternative formats are available. As well as sending their comments by email, residents can use the Easy Read versions of both plans, which are available on our website as we want to make sure the process is accessible to everyone.”

Residents can continue to respond:

Online: Dorset is changing - Dorset Council

By email:

Local Plan: planningpolicyconsult@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Local Transport Plan: ltp@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Alternative formats and Easy Read documents are available on the Dorset Council website or by request via the email addresses above.

We are encouraging residents to respond as soon as possible and not leave it until the final days, as high demand may continue to affect access.

10th October 2025

We have been receiving reports that people have been unable to access the online survey on Dorset Council’s website, and this morning have had a message from their Communications team - the headline of which is that the deadline for forms submitted by email has been extended to October 31st. This only applies to the Local Plan, and not the Transport Plan. The deadline for the online survey, as opposed to emailed responses, remains at 13th October.

Quick Links

Download the digital forms for emailing to planningpolicyconsult@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Dorset Council Local Plan Main Document Response Form
This is the larger of the forms covering the whole Dorset Plan
DCLP Options Consultation Responses from FMPC
And this document contains our responses to the above
Dorset Council Local Plan Sites Response Form Digital
This is the form to comment on a specific site in the Plan i.e. 'LA/FONT/003,004 - Land south of West Street and west of Old Crown Road'
FM Site Specific Responses from FMPC
And here are some suggested topics for the site specific form

Consultation Deadline 13th October

As part of the Dorset Council Local Plan published in August 2025, Fontmell Magna parish has been identified for potential for 105 new homes. There is now a consultation period, until October 13th, during which individuals, groups or organisations can submit their views and any objections. Please note that the full publication by Dorset Council includes aspects other than the potential for new homes detailed in Appendix A: Opportunity sites for housing to which you might wish to respond, and the Local Transport Plan (see below) which has been published alongside the Local Plan.

The online response form is to be found on this Dorset Council webpage. When you click the yellow 'Start Now' button and have entered your details/demographics you can then choose to respond either to the whole publication, or a specific section - in this case ‘Housing opportunity sites’ and then select Fontmell Magna from the map which is referenced as: LA/FONT/003,004 - Land south of West Street and west of Old Crown Road. DC have published a guide and even a video on how to complete this form on their website here. You can also save your progress and they will email you a link so that you can go back later and carry on.

Steve Drew and many others have pulled together the following very comprehensive document which suggests answers to the 45 questions of the full response submission. These answers are not meant to create standard cut-and-paste responses, but to inform and add to your own comments. In fact we would encourage everyone to use their own wording to ensure the points do not get lost in any data processing algorithm! DCLP Options Consultation Responses from FMPC

Steve has also drawn up a list of possible responses which are specific to the Fontmell Magna 'Opportunity site', FM Site Specific Responses from FMPC . Again, it is meant as additional to your own thoughts and comments.

Click on the map to download the extract of the Appendices that relate to Fontmell Magna Parish.

Dorset Council Local Transport Plan 2026 -2041

The draft Dorset Council Local Transport Plan has been published for consultation

and comment, in parallel with The Dorset Local Plan. There are potentially significant

issues for us in Fontmell Magna.

Residents have expressed various concerns about road safety and other transport

matters in recent years and this is an important opportunity to express your views

about what needs to be done in the future.

The response form can be found on the Dorset Council website. Go to “Dorset is

Changing” then “Local Transport Plan Consultation - Start Now”. The survey links to

the report and non relevant sections can be skipped. You can also reply in writing.

The deadline is 13 October.