A FINAL neighbourhood plan has been submitted to Dorset Council. 

Residents of Wimborne St Giles are now being consulted on the new and final version of the neighbourhood plan. 

The plan has been drawn up by the village's residents and agreed by the group parish council, who feel confident 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 in consultation with the national planning policy framework, and the adopted local plan. 

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

People who live, work or run a business in the Wimborne St Giles neighbourhood area have until the end of Tuesday, September 24 to raise any concerns they may have about the plan.  

These concerns will then be passed on to an independent examiner to consider. 

Shane Bartlett, Dorset Council’s cabinet member 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. 

“Neighbourhood plans give local communities a real say in how their area should change over time.  

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

The plan can be viewed online at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/wimborne-st-giles-neighbourhood-plan 

A hard copy of the Neighbourhood Plan will also be available for public inspection at Verwood Library and Wimborne St Giles Church during their usual opening hours. 

Comments on the plan can be submitted through our online form, by email to NeighbourhoodPlanning@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or by post to Spatial Planning, Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ 

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