Dorset Council Local Plan Scoping Consultation

Published: 24 September 2026

The Scoping consultation is asking questions about:

• what the local plan should cover
• its proposed vision and priorities
• how Dorset should grow
• the evidence needed to inform the plan
• how people should be involved

This consultation is not asking about individual development sites or detailed draft policies.

The Local Plan will help guide how Dorset changes in the future. It will set out where new homes, infrastructure, community facilities and environmental improvements should happen and will be used, once adopted, to help decide planning applications across the Dorset areas.

The scoping consultation document, including draft engagement strategy and supporting documents can be found online by following this link Dorset Council Local Plan: Scoping consultation 2026 - Dorset Council