1. Home
  2. Planning, building control and land
  3. Planning Policy

Planning Policy

Warning The Dorset Council Local Plan opportunities consultation is closed. We’re now reviewing all responses as we prepare the full plan. See the Local Development Scheme for our timetable and next steps.

Dorset Design Code Survey

Help us to raise the quality of new development in your area by taking our short survey. Have your say in how the design of future growth could be right for Dorset. The survey closes on Friday 21 November 2025.

Local Plan and Local Transport Plan consultations

Dorset is changing, help us shape it. Find out more and comment. Both the consultations close on 13 October. 

Brownfield Land Register

Brownfield registers set out all the brownfield sites that are suitable, available and achievable for housing development.

Mitigating the impact of recreation on the New Forest Heaths

Details of a new planning obligation for development within 13.8km of the New Forest SAC, SPA and Ramsar.

Planning for climate change

Dorset Council Planning for climate change documents

Supplementary planning documents and guidance

Supplementary planning documents for Dorset Local Plan and the former district Local Plans

Related documents

The Dorset Council Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) was adopted in January 2020 and updated in June 2025. The SCI sets out how and when we involve the community as part of our planning duties. It replaces any SCI documents previously adopted by the council’s former Local Authorities. Our Local Development Scheme (adopted March 2025) sets out a programme for the preparation of new planning policy documents and the continued production of the Dorset Council Local Plan. 

Planning Policy

Name: Planning policy team
Name: Dorchester office
Email: planningpolicy@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01305 838334
Full contact details