Neighbourhood Plan update / next steps
We are at Stage 2, preparing and consulting on the plan.
Full Council met on Wednesday 3rd May where councillors endorsed Weymouth’s draft Neighbourhood Plan.
Thanks to everyone for taking the time to complete our survey which helped to shape the draft Neighbourhood Plan. The survey ran for two weeks in January and we had more than 570 responses.
The results of the survey were used to draw up the draft Neighbourhood Plan document.
A full public consultation on the draft plan will be carried out later this year, so there will be another opportunity to have your say on it.
The results from this will feed into our final draft plan which will then go to Dorset Council for formal public consultation in early 2024. An independent examination after this should lead to our plan being formalised in autumn 2024.
You can read about the results of the evidence gathering we did during Stage 1 here.
You can still read all the supporting information we put together for the survey we did in January below. Any comments can also be emailed to neighbourhood@weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk
Supporting information
All the background information on our recent survey can be downloaded below.
What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
A neighbourhood plan sets out the policies that are used to help make decisions about planning applications in the area.
It is led by the local community and gives everyone an opportunity to have a say and help shape future development.
You can read more about it in “How to create a Neighbourhood Plan: Your step-by-step roadmap Guide”
How to get involved and have your say
- Contact us by email neighbourhood@weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk
- Complete our short survey in January.
- To be kept informed with the latest news and updates from the Town Council, click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
What area is covered by the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan?
Our neighbourhood plan will apply to the wider Weymouth area, not just the town centre. The designated boundary was agreed in July 2020:
Sutton Poyntz which lies within the boundary already has a neighbourhood plan. It was adopted on 5 May 2020. The new Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan will respect and include the policies of the Sutton Poyntz Neighbourhood Plan.
The process
As your town council, we facilitate Weymouth’s Neighbourhood Plan. It’s our job to get the views of local residents and businesses and use them to write planning policies which reflect our community’s vision for Weymouth.
This is a collaborative process and we will use stages of community engagement to decide the content of the plan.
Stage 1 – Early engagement (Gathering evidence)
We gather information, ideas and views from the community. We compile evidence for emerging themes including jobs, homes, environment and green spaces
Stage 2 – Mid-stage engagement (Preparing the Plan and Pre-submission consultation)
We facilitate discussions focussing on themes for drafting policy and produce a draft plan. We publish the draft plan for consultation. Following public consultation modifications are made to the Plan.
Stage 3 – Independent Examination and Referendum (Bringing the Plan into Force)
We submit the plan to Dorset Council, our local planning authority. Subject to examination from an independent Planning Inspector a referendum will be held giving the local community the opportunity to say yes or no to the plan.
Who will prepare the Neighbourhood Plan?
Weymouth Town Council is the accountable body. The plan needs to conform with certain requirements before it is submitted to Dorset Council.
The process began in December 2020 and the plan is prepared over a two-year period through consultation with local people and support from experts in Neighbourhood Planning. A Steering Group has been set up to guide the process, comprising of people who represent our many different communities, businesses and interest groups in Weymouth.
The Neighbourhood Plan Vision
By 2038, Weymouth will be a resilient coastal community with a diverse range of jobs and homes which meet the needs of residents for present generations without compromising the needs of future generations. The unique identities of our local neighbourhoods will be attractive to all age groups and will foster healthy and happy lifestyles.
Design Code Pathfinder – what is it?
Weymouth was one of 25 areas in England selected by the Department for Housing, Levelling Up & Communities to be awarded a share of £3 million to help shape new neighbourhoods. The project will complete in March this year, and how it forms part of the Neighbourhood Plan will be decided in the next few months. Read more about the Design Code Pathfinder project on our latest news.
Help Protect Green Spaces
What areas of Green Space are important to you and your community? There is still an opportunity to submit a recommendation for a formal designation as Local Green Space within the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan? Please read the guidance on the form below and if you feel they meet the criteria we would welcome your submissions. If you are unsure or have any other questions, please contact us at neighbourhood@weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk