5.1 The Plan includes the neighbourhood planning vision, aims and objectives for the neighbourhood area, which have been developed following a dialogue with the community and shaped by existing planning policies and plans.
5.2 Having explained the rationale for these, the Plan sets out local planning policies on a topic-by-topic basis. The brief introduction to each topic is based on the findings of the research, surveys and consultations that have taken place as part of the neighbourhood planning process. More detail can be found in various documents on the Neighbourhood Plan website.
5.3 Under each topic heading we summarise the characteristics of that topic and the key issues which have been identified and how they are reflected in the agreed objectives the neighbourhood planning policies are seeking to achieve.
5.4 It should be noted that for all topics we have given due consideration to the policies of the West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland Local Plan and been mindful of the emerging policies for the new Dorset Local Plan. We have generally only introduced a neighbourhood plan policy where we feel it strengthens or brings local specificity to the Local Plan.
5.5 For each neighbourhood plan policy that follows we set out the policy statement; and an explanation of and justification for the policy, including reference to the other planning policies in national and district planning documents which relate to that policy.
5.6 It is important to note that, while we have set out policies under topic headings, when development proposals are being assessed, the whole plan (i.e. all policies) should be taken into account, as policies in one topic may apply to proposals which naturally fit under another.
5.7 The Plan finishes with an explanation of how we will monitor and review the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan, and a Glossary which seeks to demystify the planning terminology used in this Plan.
5.8 Several documents will accompany the submission version Neighbourhood Plan. We are obliged by Neighbourhood Planning Regulation 1522 to produce a Consultation Statement23, which “should reveal the quality and effectiveness of the consultation that has informed the plan proposals”, and a Basic Conditions Statement24, setting out how the Neighbourhood Plan meets the basic conditions (see para. 4.4).
5.9 The Neighbourhood Plan must also be tested as it develops to help determine its positive or negative impact on the social, environmental, and economic character of the neighbourhood area. If significant environmental effects are considered possible, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) must be prepared in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of regulation 12 of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004. In this respect, the Neighbourhood Plan has been screened as requiring an SEA process because it supports allocations for new development in proximity to potentially environmentally sensitive locations, such as:
5.10 In light of this screening outcome, an SEA process was undertaken to meet the requirements prescribed by the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (the SEA Regulations). A Scoping Report25 for the SEA has been prepared by independent specialist consultants, in consultation with the local planning authority and environmental agencies. An Interim SEA focused on the ‘reasonable alternatives’ guided the overall development of the strategy, the full SEA report has since been produced and includes the assessment of the ‘reasonable alternatives’ together with the environmental appraisal of the plan as a whole. This report is supportive of the balanced approach adopted. The Final SEA Report26 concludes that the changes to the Submission Draft have not affected the conclusions and recommendations.
5.11 The potential impact of the Neighbourhood Plan on environmental sites of internationally designated areas such as Chesil Beach and the Fleet Ramsar (and SPA), Chesil and the Fleet SAC, The Isle of Portland to Studland Cliffs SAC, and SSSIs requires a screening for a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA). The initial draft of the HRA made recommendations to tighten policies in the Plan – these have been made in the Submission Plan. The final report27 considers the Submission Plan. This concludes that “that the Plan document will not result in an adverse effect on the integrity of any Habitats sites either alone or in combination.”
22 Legislation - The Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012
23 WNP Consultation Statement – December 2024
24 WNP-Draft Basic-Conditions-Statement-November-2024
25 SEA Scoping Report - July 2022
26 Weymouth NP SEA Report - November 2024
27 Weymouth NP HRA - November 2024
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