Portland Neighbourhood Plan Update April 2020

The Portland Neighbourhood Plan has now been examined and changes to the submitted version recommended by the Examiner have been accepted by the Local Planning Authority.

Dorset Council as the planning authority have confirmed that the Plan could proceed to a local Referendum. However emergency regulations resultant from the Coronavirus Act 2020 state that no elections or referendums can take place until 6 May 2021, meaning that neighbourhood plans may come into force later than they would have done. In recognition of the frustration caused to communities that have dedicated significant time and effort to the neighbourhood planning process and who naturally want their plans to come into force as soon as possible, the Government have issued revised guidance. This guidance sets out that neighbourhood plans awaiting referendums can be given significant weight in decision-making, so far as the plan is material to the application.

In accordance with the Legislation the provisions will be kept under review and may be amended or revoked in response to changing circumstances.

The full details can be found via this Link to Dorset Council webpage.

For ease of reference the full referendum version of the plan can be found below, with the amended map book.