Residents of Lower Winterborne, near Dorchester, have the opportunity to shape their community through the development of a Neighbourhood Plan.

Dorset Council has received a request from Lower Winterborne Parish Council – which serves Winterborne Zelston, Winterborne Kingston, Anderson, Muston and Thomson – for the approval of a Neighbourhood Plan Area, which is the first formal stage of preparing a plan.

The application and supporting information can be viewed here: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/neighbourhood-area

A Neighbourhood Plan aims to give residents more control over their local area, when plans for new homes, shops and offices in their town or village are considered.

Residents who have any comments about whether this is the right area for the Neighbourhood Plan to cover can send them to the Spatial Planning Team at Dorset Council by Friday, June 23 2023.

Once the plan is written, it will be consulted on locally and submitted to Dorset Council for independent examination. It will also be subject to a local referendum to make sure it has the support of local people.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council's portfolio holder for Planning, said: "Residents in Lower Winterborne have a great chance to plan the future of their area."

"Anyone who wishes to have their say on the neighbourhood plan area can do so by sending their comments to the council."

Residents can comment by post at Spatial Planning, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ or email [email protected]  

Those interested in helping with the preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan can contact the parish clerk by email at [email protected]