THE council’s new draft local plan “does not provide for the housing needs of the area”, a planning consultancy has warned. 

The draft plan, which was published earlier in November, is in need of “serious scrutiny”, Bournemouth-based Ken Parke Planning Consultancy (KPPC) has said. 

BCP Council’s local plan will for the first time set out the authority’s ambitious strategy for all development across the region until 2039. 

It includes identifying sites for 24,000 new homes and 80 hectares of employment land, along with detailed planning policies which will guide and influence future development. 

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However, the firm has said it is “seriously concerned” the proposals will severely restrict the amount of development that will be able to take place. 

KPPC, which supports clients nationwide from its office in Winton, has warned the measures will affect landowners, property owners and all involved in the development and construction industry. 

It has urged those in the property sector to rally together to voice any concerns about the policies in the draft plan and has sent a letter alerting those who may be affected. 

Ken Parke, managing director of KPPC, wrote in a letter: “We are concerned how these policies will affect your interests. 

“We would urge you to take an active interest in this process and seek our advice on how the new policies will affect your interests moving forward, and whether or not we should be submitting objections on your behalf.” 

He added: “This is an issue which will affect local people and the local economy where there is a serious shortage of housing. 

“The draft plan falls well short of meeting housing need. The plan splits the conurbation in to designated neighbourhoods with specific policies for each. 

“This is an overly prescriptive approach which adds additional layers of unnecessary control and, indeed, complexity. This plan will impact upon everyone and requires major scrutiny.” 

Cllr Margaret Phipps, lead member for local plan delivery, said: “All sites identified in this draft local plan have been selected because we believe they are the most suitable and sustainable options.  

“Data and evidence, along with the results of the local plan issues and options consultation undertaken in 2022, are the key factors we’ve considered when allocating sites for development.” 

The draft local plan is due to go out on public consultation in late January 2024 for six weeks before an examination by the council. 

It is expected to be adopted formally from February to April 2025.