Dorset Heathlands Interim Planning Framework

Update:  The Interim Planning Framework extension is out for public consultation for an eight week period commencing Friday 27 November 2009 and ending Friday 22 January 2010.

The Dorset Heathlands cover an extensive area of South East Dorset fragmented by urban development and other land uses. It is the view of Natural England that the cumulative effect of further residential development up to 5 kilometres from protected heathland in Dorset would have a significant effect on Dorset’s lowland heaths which are covered by several international designations.  Mitigation will be required otherwise there is the prospect that Local Authorities will not be able to grant permission for residential development within 5 kilometres of these designated sites.

Local authorities in South East Dorset whose administrative area is within 5 kilometres of protected heathland and which have responsibility for the determination of residential planning applications, have agreed a 3 year interim strategy for the protection of heathland to the end of 2009. As the Heathlands Development Plan Document is not yet ready to replace these interim arrangements, it is necessary to extend the Interim Planning Framework for a further 2 years to 2012.  A public consultation on a revised Interim Planning Framework document commences on Friday, 27 November 2009 and ends on Friday, 22 January 2010.   During the next 2 years the local authorities will work with Natural England and other partners to continue research into the effects of urban pressures on the protected heaths and to secure a longer term solution.

It is the purpose of this document to set out the approach that, together, the local authorities in South East Dorset will follow. This demonstrates how harm to the heathlands can be avoided, based upon identified measures set out in the accompanying Background Paper[3] together with a map of the South East Dorset sub region. The document has been adopted by all the local authorities in South East Dorset i.e. Borough of Poole, Bournemouth Borough Council, Christchurch Borough Council, East Dorset District Council and Purbeck District Council. Dorset County Council is also party to the document due to its implementation role but has no responsibility for the determination of residential planning applications.

Downloads:

Dorset Heathlands Interim Planning Framework Type:  Adobe Acrobat Size:  898 KB

Links:

Interim Planning Framework extension - Public Consultation  

What is Heathland Mitigation?

Dorset Heathland Joint Development Plan Document

Contact:

Planning Policy Team

Purbeck District Council

Westport House

Worgret Road

Wareham

Dorset   BH20 4JA

Tel:       01929 557 339

E-mail:  ldf@purbeck-dc.gov.uk