BCP Local Plan

BCP Council have been consulting the public on the BCP Council Local Plan. 

Since the creation of the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council 2019, changes have been made to the plans for the area.

From the BCP website:

“The Local Plan provides a framework of policies and site allocations to guide future development. This will help us meet identified needs for new homes, jobs, infrastructure and other supporting services within the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area; while both respecting and protecting the local areas' best features including the coast, internationally designated environments, Green Belt and areas at present and future risk of flooding.

The BCP Local Plan will replace the current Local Plans adopted by the three preceding councils.”

The proposals are still at an early stage, and extensive work is being done to gather evidence for the area.

You can read the BCP Frequently Asked Questions about the Local Plan here: FAQs

What has Michael been doing?

Contact with BCP Council

Michael is in regular communication with the Leader and Deputy leader of the council, and with local councillors in Mid Dorset and North Poole. At all stages Michael has reiterated his support for the protection of the Green Belt, and urged the council to use brownfield sites for development.

Contact with residents

Michael wrote to residents in the areas most affected by the promoted areas, to ensure that they were aware of the consultation, and encouraging them to share their views with the council. When the full consultation on the draft plan opens, he will publicise this further through social media, news articles and e-news updates to residents.   

Michael has spoken to many constituents about their concerns over building in the Green Belt, and has emailed or written to many more. He has shared these concerns with the council, and will continue to encourage residents to contribute to the consultations to make sure that they don't miss out on having their say.  

Discussion with Government Ministers

Michael has lobbied successive Housing Ministers and Secretaries of State to protect the Green Belt. He met with the Housing Minister to discuss the Housing targets for BCP and once again raised the importance of protecting the Green Belt.

Michael's Response

Michael said

" The document also highlights many sites within the Green Belt that have been promoted by land owners. In particular there are several large sites in and around Merley, Bearwood & Canford Magna that have been proposed for inclusion by landowners. These sites should not be considered for development and should be discounted at the earliest possible opportunity. Residents living in these communities deserve the certainty that the Council will not accept development of this scale within the Green Belt. This is especially important given the development that has already taken place. This would do tremendous damage to this area.

 

The full text of the letter is below.

 

What next?

There will be further consultation on the draft Local Plan later in 2022.

Michael will continue to press for sites to be found that are not in the Green Belt, and that the council instead prioritises brownfield sites. 

 

 

Attachments

Attachment Size
BCP Local Plan Response 367.91 KB