BCP Council came into being in April this year and covers Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. The authority was formed as part of local government reorganisation which also saw Dorset Council created following a merger of Dorset County, East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset, and Weymouth and Portland.
Both BCP Council and Dorset Council have committed to adopting new local plans by 2024. The two authorities have also begun work on a minerals plan covering the county.
The new BCP local plan will replace the Bournemouth Core Strategy 2012, Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy 2014, Poole Local Plan 2018.
Earlier this month BCP council launched a consultation to identify the key issues to be dealt with by the plan. A call for sites consultation is being held simultaneously, with developers and site promoters invited to submit sites for potential allocation within the plan.
The consultation runs until 18 November 2019. Dorset Council held a call for sites consultation which closed on 25 October.
Potential issues for consideration include:
- Managing traffic congestion and encouraging walking, cycling and use of public transport.
- Tackling climate change.
- Meeting housing targets while keeping local character.
- Developing BCP’s tourism sector.
- Providing affordable homes.
- Meeting the needs of an ageing population.
BCP council is one of several recently merged authoritoies that have been required to embark on work to prepare consolidated local plans.
LOCAL PLAN UPDATES
ADOPTION NEWS
Nottinghamshire: Broxtowe Borough Council adopted its local plan on 16 October.
CONSULTATION NEWS
London: Croydon Council voted on 21 October to hold an issues and options consultation as part of its local plan review. The consultation commences on 8 November.
Berkshire: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead voted on 23 October to proceed to consultation on changes to its submission version local plan.
EXAMINATION NEWS
Kent: An inspector has advised Sevenoaks District Council to withdraw its local plan from examination on 14 October.
London: Tower Hamlets Council’s local plan was found sound by an inspector on 20 September.
North Yorkshire: Craven District Council’s local plan was found sound by an inspector on 9 October.
