The Portland Neighbourhood Plan has been some time in preparation. Portland presents a complex and unique set of circumstances that needs very careful consideration and planning.
We are grateful that the Localism Act 2012 has provided the community with the opportunity to get involved in that planning and to put in place a Neighbourhood Plan that must be acknowledged by developers.
We must have regard to national planning policy and conform to the strategic policies of the West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Local Plan. Beyond that, we are free to set the land use policies that we feel are necessary.
Over a period of five years, much research, several surveys, lots of consultation and considerable discussion has been led by a working group of local people. We have taken expert advice along the way. We have striven hard to achieve an acceptable balance between development and preservation and resolve any potential conflicts between economic growth and community wellbeing. We are particularly grateful to everybody, whether individuals, organisations or businesses with an interest in Portland’s future that responded constructively to the consultations we have undertaken on the Plan. The many views and comments we received have been taken into account.
The Portland Neighbourhood Plan represents a shared community vision for Portland. Its purpose is to help realise that vision by shaping development and growth on Portland over the next 13 years. The Neighbourhood Plan should ensure that we get the right type of development in the right place.
I would like to record my thanks to Locality1 and its partners who have provided much appreciated technical and financial assistance to enable us to get this far, and for the support and encouragement we received throughout from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.
Jim Draper
Portland Town Councillor and
Chair, Portland Neighbourhood Plan Group
1 Locality is the national network of ambitious and enterprising community-led organisations, working together to help neighbourhoods thrive. It has administered grants and support on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.