TURMOIL could lie ahead for Dorset’s local-level planning in the wake of local government reorganisation, experts have warned.

Policy confusion and fewer staff are the main issues raised by stakeholders, who fear the removal of district-level planning departments could lead to uncertainty and redundancies.

Rebecca Horrocks, an associate at planning consultancy Barton Willmore, said the decision to create two unitary authorities in Dorset - one combining Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, the other the rest of the county - could cause major planning headaches.

“There will be short-term repercussions which could affect the delivery of housing and growth,” she said.

“Many of the existing Dorset authorities are undertaking Local Plan reviews, few of which will be completed prior to this local government reorganisation. This could cause uncertainty for short- to medium-scale projects.”

The planning authorities set to be absorbed into the new authority comprise West Dorset, North Dorset, East Dorset and Purbeck district councils, as well as Weymouth & Portland Borough Council.

A spokesman for Purbeck District Council said: “Purbeck District Council is committed to completing the review of its Local Plan. The council plans to submit its Local Plan before it is replaced by the new unitary council in April 2019.

“The reorganisation of local government in Dorset is likely to result in fewer Local Plans in the longer term. The implications for the number of planning staff has yet to be assessed, but the savings in the business case for the creation of the two unitary councils were not based on the rationalisation of key frontline staff who provide essential services.”

The Dorset Councils Partnership - which is responsible for West Dorset, North Dorset and Weymouth & Portland - has been approached for comment.