1.1.1 Neighbourhood planning was introduced by the Government under the Localism Act of 2011. It is an important and powerful tool that gives communities, such as Knightsford Group Parish (consisting of the parishes of West Knighton, West Stafford, Tincleton and Woodsford), statutory powers to help with their development.
1.1.2 It is a document that sets out planning policies for the area – and these planning policies are used to decide whether in the future, Dorset Council, as our Local Planning Authority, can approve planning applications.
1.1.3 It is a document that is written by the local community; by the people who live and work within the area, rather than the Local Planning Authority. It is a plan for our communities developed by way of local consultation. It sets out how each village can protect its own special character, and where the community would welcome new development.
1.1.4 The Neighbourhood Plan will sit alongside the Dorset Council Local Plan (the “Local Plan”) when it is completed in 2027, but in the meantime, it will sit alongside the old West Dorset, Weymouth, and Portland District Council Local Plan.
1.1.5 The Neighbourhood Plan has been subject to consultation with the local community and other interested bodies, such as Historic England and the Environment Agency, checked by an independent Examiner, and updated in line with his recommendations. This is the final version of all that work, which will be voted on in a local referendum in July 2025, before it can be made part of the development plan.
1.1.6 The Neighbourhood Plan is a legal document: once established as part of the development plan for the area, Dorset Council, as our Local Planning Authority, is obliged to use it. It can assist in determining planning matters but cannot override strategic policies. In due course, the revisions to the Local Plan may supersede elements of the Neighbourhood Plan.
1.2.1 Knightsford Parish Council decided to initiate the process of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan for the parish villages of West Knighton, West Stafford, Tincleton and Woodsford, to give local people a greater say in the future of their communities. The decision to initiate the process of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan originated from concerns over development within the four villages and how that would impact the communities.
Designating the Neighbourhood Plan Area
1.2.2 The Neighbourhood Plan process commenced by way of an application by Knightsford Parish Council to Dorset Council on 10 March 2021 to designate the area covered by the Parish Council (the four villages and the surrounding countryside) as a Neighbourhood Plan area. The area was formally designated on 15 June 2021.
1.2.3 Due to changes to the parish boundary at West Knighton in April 2024, the Parish Council requested to have the area redesignated (based on the new boundary), so that the Neighbourhood Plan area reflects the area that remains under the Parish Council’s jurisdiction.
1.2.4 More information about the Neighbourhood Plan area is in section 2.
Map 1. Knightsford Neighbourhood Plan Area
Setting up a Steering Group
1.2.5 A steering group was formed with representatives from the four villages and the Parish Council. The first Neighbourhood Plan meeting was held in September 2021. Grant funding was secured to engage specialists for technical support (AECOM) and planning advice (Jo Witherden – Dorset Planning Consultant Ltd) to assist the steering group.
Gathering evidence and formulating ideas
1.2.6 An essential part of the process is gathering evidence to understand the key issues that should be covered in the Neighbourhood Plan and how these can be addressed. This was mainly done through a series of consultations.
1.2.7 The first stage focused on gathering evidence to better understand local needs and priorities. This included surveys of residents, local businesses, and landowners, along with input from technical experts to assess the advantages and constraints of potential development sites and to develop tailored design guidance for the area.
1.2.8 The second stage involved developing ideas and options based on the initial survey findings. These were presented to the community in October 2023, and feedback was invited on the proposed ideas and options.
1.2.9 At this stage, the steering group considered that there was sufficient information to prepare a draft plan, which would then be shared again with the community for consultation.
Pre-submission consultation
1.2.10 The draft plan was made available for consultation for six weeks, from mid-March to early May 2024. This consultation targeted local residents, workers, and businesses, as well as statutory consultees, including Dorset Council (as the Local Planning Authority), adjoining parish councils, and relevant agencies such as Natural England and utility providers who may be affected by the plan.
1.2.11 All comments received during the consultation were reviewed, and further changes were made to the Plan before it was submitted to Dorset Council for examination.
Examination and referendum
1.2.12 Andrew Mead BSc (Hons) MRTPI MIQ was appointed as the Independent Examiner. In March 2025, following a further consultation to invite comments on the Plan, he produced his report. He concluded that the Knightsford Neighbourhood Plan had been properly prepared in line with procedural requirements and recommended four modifications to ensure it meets the Basic Conditions and other legal requirements. These modifications have been made, and the referendum is scheduled for July 2025.
1.3.1 The Local Plan sits alongside the Neighbourhood Plan. It sets out the overarching strategy for development across the area. The Local Plan sets policies for:
1.3.2 There are also Minerals and Waste development plans for the area, which are strategic matters that by law cannot be covered by Neighbourhood Plans.
1.3.3 Although the law requires that the Neighbourhood Plans must be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the Local Plan, they can say slightly different things. Neighbourhood Plan policies give the opportunity to agree local priorities, identify development sites and highlight areas which are locally valued and should be protected. Both plans carry weight in making planning decisions, with any differences on non-strategic matters based on whichever plan was most recently adopted.
1.3.4 This Plan has therefore taken on board the existing policies in the 2015 West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Local Plan; and considered how those existing policies may change by looking at the emerging draft Dorset Council Local Plan.
1.4.1 The Plan is expected to last for 10 years, to cover the period 2023 – 2033. However, the need for a review will be considered following the adoption of the new Dorset Council Local Plan, to address any potential conflicts between the two plans. It may also need to be reviewed sooner, if there are significant changes in national policy or legislation, or local issues that arise that need to be covered. The decision when to review the plan will rest with Knightsford Parish Council, as the responsible body for Neighbourhood Planning in this area.
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