Dorset

Bridport has taken a significant step closer to having greater influence over planning decisions in their area.

A final version of the Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan representing the communities of Allington, Bothenhampton & Walditch, Bradpole, Bridport & West Bay, and Symondsbury has been submitted to Dorset Council for examination.

The plan has been drawn up by local people, and approved by all participating town and parish councils, who feel confident that the plan reflects the hopes and views of the local community.

Neighbourhood plans were introduced in the Localism Act 2011 and aim to give residents more say in the future use of land and buildings in their area. For example the plan can say where new homes, shops or offices might be built or where important green spaces might be protected.

If the neighbourhood plan is approved following examination, and supported by a local referendum, it will be used to make decisions on planning applications.

Dorset Council is required to consult on the plan proposals before the examination can take place.

A hard copy of the plan will be made available at the council offices in South Walks House, Dorchester.

Bridport Town Council also has also made reference copies available at its Town Council Offices, Bridport Library, Bridport Tourist Information Centre and from all partner parish clerks.

The plan can be viewed online at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/bridport-area-neighbourhood-plan  and on the Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan website: bridport-tc.gov.uk/projects/neighbourhood-plan/

People who live, work, or run a business in the Bridport Area neighbourhood area have until 28 June 2019, to raise any concerns they may have about the plan. These concerns will then be passed on to an independent examiner to consider.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, said:

“It takes a tremendous amount of work in order to pull together a Neighbourhood Plan. I congratulate all involved in getting to this stage.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in the future development of Bridport, to view the plans and submit any feedback they may have.”

Comments on the plan can be emailed to planningpolicyteamb@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

Alternatively, they can be posted to Planning and Community Services, South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester DT1 1UZ.

Anyone commenting on the plan should let the council know if they wish to be kept informed of the progress of the Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan.

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South Walks House in Dorchester was packed full today for the first meeting of the brand-new Dorset Council.

82 newly elected councillors, senior officers and a full public gallery filled

the committee suite at South Walks House to debate the business of the new council and vote in its new Leader and Chairman.

During a lively public questions session, there were statements read and questions asked about the new council’s approach to environmental matters and specifically climate change, including questions from climate change group Extinction Rebellion and Friends of the Earth.

In response to this, Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment said:

“We have an opportunity and an obligation to demonstrate leadership – thinking globally about the implications of climate change and acting locally to help address it in our communities.

“The crucial need to tackle climate change is something that we can all agree on. It is an issue which transcends party politics and after discussions with the other group leaders we have agreed on the need to create a cross-party Panel on Climate Change to develop a policy for Dorset Council.”

Further to this, a motion was proposed by Cllr Nick Ireland, leader of the Liberal Democrats which asked for the council to recognise that climate change is happening and that the council agrees to declare a climate emergency.

69 councillors voted to pass this motion, two voted against and 6 abstained meaning Dorset has officially declared a climate emergency.

Cllr Pauline Batstone has taken up the position of Chairman. This role was previously held for the Shadow Dorset Council by Cllr Hilary Cox.

Cllr Batstone began the meeting by thanking Mrs Cox for her work and dedication over the past five years as Dorset County Council Chairman and latterly as the Chairman of the Shadow Dorset Council.

Cllr Batstone went on to say: “The next year is vital for setting the tone of the new council and the manner in which it operates as a 21st century council.

“The aspirations and ambitions of this new council are for Dorset to be a place where people want to live, visit, learn and work and I am delighted to be able to play a key role in that.”

Cllr Spencer Flower was then voted in as Leader of Dorset Council. He thanked the Chairman and members for putting their faith in him to be the first leader of Dorset Council.

Cllr Flower went on to say: “This is a great honour and an immense privilege. As Leader I want to promote a collaborative approach to the delivery of quality public services, whilst dealing with the known challenges of rising demand and severe financial pressures.

“We need to create a ‘can-do culture’ within the council that puts the interests of our communities first. A member led council, making a real and lasting difference in Dorset. This is a big job, but with the support of members in this chamber we really can make the difference our communities deserve.”

Following the election of the Chairman and Leader, Cllr Flower announced the members of the Dorset Council Cabinet, as follows:

• Leader / Governance, Performance and Communications – Cllr Spencer Flower
• Deputy Leader / Corporate Development and Change – Cllr Peter Wharf
• Finance, Commercial and Assets – Cllr Tony Ferrari
• Housing – Cllr Graham Carr-Jones
• Economic Growth and Skills – Cllr Gary Suttle
• Children, Education and Early Help – Cllr Andrew Parry
• Adult Social Care and Health – Cllr Laura Miller
• Planning – Cllr David Walsh
• Highways, Travel and Environment – Cllr Ray Bryan
• Customer, Community and Regulatory Services – Cllr Tony Alford

A further debate on the issue of climate change is on the agenda for the next meeting of the full council.

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A busy north Dorset road will be closed from Monday while resurfacing work is carried out.

Zig Zag Hill on the B3081 will be closed 24 hours-a-day from Monday 20 May to Friday 31 May, with the C13 through Melbury Abbas also remaining closed.

Drivers will be signed onto the A350 as a diversion route.

Listen to Senior Site Agent David Clegg explaining the work on the Shaftesbury community podcast – This is Alfred.

Resurfacing Zig Zag Hill presents difficulties not only with the nature of the road itself but also with the depth of the reconstruction needed.

It’s due to these deep excavations that the only safe way to carry out the work is under a full 24-hour closure – it is just not safe to reopen the road between shifts.

The road is being resurfaced from White Pit Lane up to the top of the hill.

The C13 through Melbury Abbas has been closed since January for a new pull-in and vehicle activated signs (VAS) to be installed for HGVs travelling through the village, as part of Dorset Highways’ A350/C13 route management scheme.

Although the resurfacing through Melbury Abbas will be finished on Friday, 17 May, work is continuing to put the new signals into operation.

The decision has been made to keep the C13 closed while surfacing Zig Zag Hill to avoid diverted traffic using the C13, rather than the signed route on the A350.

The C13 and B3081 will reopen together at the end of May. Dorset Highways will then assess the surrounding minor roads for repairs caused by diverted traffic using them during the closures.

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If you live near West Bay, you will know that Dorset Council and the Environment Agency are working on £10 million sea defences, but did you know:

• 148 homes and 112 businesses will be protected
• 40,000 tonnes of granite is being used
• the largest rocks used weigh 10 tonnes

Hear more from Nigel Bennetts,  Environment Agency Project Manager.

Programme of works updates and more detailed information will be on display near the beaches and drop-in sessions will also be held at the Salt House, West Bay, on 16 May, 30 May, 13 June and 27 June from 1.30pm – 4.30pm.

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