DC Local Plan - update
Published: 14 October 2025
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:
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.
The link they give is for the downloadable version of the forms here, which you fill in on your computer and then save and send as an attachment to planningpolicyconsult@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
The forms and our suggestions to help you comment in an informed and constructive way are all available on our website here