There's just one week left to have your say on the draft Dorset Council Local Plan.

The consultation ends on March 15 and once adopted, the plan will guide decisions on planning applications in Dorset until 2038.

Councillor David Walsh, Dorset Council portfolio holder for planning, said: "I am very pleased and encouraged by the number of people engaging and commenting on the Dorset Council Local Plan. If you haven't responded yet, there is still time.

"Even though we are consulting during a pandemic, our statistics are showing a huge increase in the numbers engaging in the local plan process compared to previous consultations. We have also had input from all ages and from all parts of the county."

Podcasts and webinars to explain the themes and areas covered in the plan are available on audio streaming services and the council's YouTube channel.

Displays in the windows of empty shops, libraries with public facing windows and Tourist Information Centres in 12 towns around the county offer a Covid-secure way of viewing the information. Paper copies of the plan can be borrowed from the libraries as part of their order and collect service.

Online surgeries have been taken up by groups including Weymouth Town Council, Gillingham Town Council, Charminster Parish Council, Dorchester Civic Society, Swanage Town Council, Alderholt Parish Council, Sturminster Marshall Parish Council, Wimborne Town Council and the CPRE.

A dedicated phone line, 01305 252500, is available Monday to Friday 10am – 2pm for people to call in with issues about viewing the plan or ask questions of the planning team.

Questions asked as part of the Dorset Council Local Plan webinar series were answered on the local plan website and can be seen here.

Many people have commented on the plan by completeing the online form.

The next stage of the Dorset Council Local Plan production process will be to consider the feedback received from this consultation alongside any new evidence and to amend the plan accordingly. The final draft of the plan will then be made available for comment. This will be followed by submission of the plan and supporting evidence to the Secretary of State for examination.

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