Planning and Environment Committee
The agendas and minutes for the Planning & Environment Committee can be viewed on the Committees page of this website.
The Planning and Environment Committee plays a key role in shaping Dorchester’s future by:
- Reviewing planning applications and sharing comments with Dorset Council (the Local Planning Authority).
- Advising on important local issues, including:
- Environmental protection and improvements.
- Traffic management and road safety.
- Public transport services around the town.
- Commenting on footpaths, bridlepaths, and rights of way, helping to maintain and improve local access routes.
- Making suggestions on new street names when needed.
The Committee also:
- Reviews major development proposals that could impact Dorchester’s environment and reports findings to the full Council.
- Provides feedback on the Local Development Plan — the long-term planning blueprint for the area.
- Identifies developments that would bring real benefits to Dorchester.
Planning applications for Dorchester are discussed at the Planning & Environment Committee, which usually meets on the first Monday of each month.
Meeting details are available in the Council Calendar, and the agenda for each meeting is published under the Committees tab at least three days before the meeting.
One week before the agenda is published, a list of the planning applications received to date is posted on the website.
Members of the public are welcome to comment on any applications at the Committee meeting.
If you would like to attend a meeting or have your say, please contact the Committee Clerk, Georgina Wakely, at G.Wakely@dorchester-tc.gov.uk.
Please note:
Dorchester Town Council carefully considers and comments on all planning applications affecting the town. However, we are a consultee in the planning process. Final decisions are made by the Planning Authority, Dorset Council.
Dorchester Town Council continues to strongly object to policy DOR13 (previously DOR15), recognising that this specific site carries a significant level of risk that it will fail to address the local needs of the town, nor will it produce a comprehensive, relevant, viable and sustainable development that supports the area’s future rather than destabilising it. Statement can be found here https://dorchester-tc.gov.uk/docs/planning/agenda/210305-DOR13.pdf
At the Full Council Meeting on 28 November 2022, the council agreed to adopt the Dorchester Town Council Town Centre Masterplan, which will be presented to Dorset Council when the local 'DOR' policies are considered during the Local Plan consultation. Masterplan can be found here C:\Users\GeorginaWakely\OneDrive - Dorchester Town Council\Shares\GeorginaWakely\Planning\Planning & Environment\Local Plan
Dorset Highways, part of Dorset Council, is the Highway Authority for Dorchester and is responsible for most highway improvements across the county.
Submitting Requests
Dorset Council does not accept direct requests for highway improvements from individual residents. Instead, all requests must be submitted through the relevant Parish or Town Council. If Dorchester Town Council supports a request, it will be forwarded to Dorset Council for consideration.
Assessment Process
Each proposal is carefully reviewed against Dorset Council’s ranking criteria, which include:
- Road hierarchy (type of road)
- History of collisions
- Local conditions (e.g. proximity to schools or hospitals)
- Duration of the problem
- Access issues for emergency services or public transport
- Carriageway width
Some of these factors require supporting evidence. In addition, certain types of restrictions will need to show significant support from local residents.
Funding Limitations
Dorset Council has a very limited budget for new highway schemes and can only introduce a small number of improvements compared to previous years.
How to Submit a Request
Residents wishing to request highway improvements should:
- Complete Highway Improvements Request Form (To be added and can be found here DTC Form for Pedestrian Access Requests Traffic Management1.docx)
- Provide all required evidence — Incomplete forms will be returned for additional information.
- Consult with your local ward councillors — This helps with an initial assessment before submission.
Completed forms will be reviewed at the next scheduled Planning and Environment Committee meeting. Residents will be notified when their request is due to be considered and invited to attend the meeting. A representative from Dorset Highways may also be present to offer advice.
Dorset Highways, part of Dorset Council, acts as the Highway Authority for Dorchester and is responsible for introducing on-street parking restrictions across Dorset.
Submitting Requests
Dorset Council does not accept direct requests for new parking restrictions from individual residents. All requests must be channelled through the relevant Parish or Town Council. If Dorchester Town Council supports a request, it will be forwarded to Dorset Council for consideration, following the published Dorset Council guidance.
Assessment Process
Dorset Council assesses each proposal against a range of criteria, including:
- Road hierarchy (type of road)
- History of collisions
- Local conditions (e.g., proximity to schools or hospitals)
- Duration of the problem
- Access issues for emergency services or public transport
- Carriageway width
Supporting evidence may be required for some of these factors. Additionally, certain types of restrictions must demonstrate support from a significant number of local residents.
Funding and Prioritisation
Due to budget constraints, Dorset Council can only introduce a limited number of new parking restrictions compared to previous years.
Dorchester Town Council Process
The Planning and Environment Committee considers residents' requests for parking restrictions up to twice a year, usually in the autumn, to ensure supported proposals can be submitted to Dorset Council by the end of October.
How to Submit a Request
Residents wishing to request new parking restrictions should:
- Complete the Parking Restriction Request Form. (To be added and can be found here DTC Proforma for Parking Requests.doc )
- Include all necessary evidence — Incomplete forms will be returned for additional information.
- Consult with your local ward councillors — They can assist with an initial assessment before submission.
Completed forms will be reviewed at the next scheduled Planning and Environment Committee meeting. Residents will be informed when their request is due to be considered and invited to attend the meeting. A Dorset Highways officer may also attend to provide advice.