CONCERNED residents have been urged to have their say on a planning blueprint that could shape development in Purbeck until 2033.

Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Michael Tomlinson and Purbeck District Council (PDC) leader Gary Suttle were among the speakers at a Lytchett Matravers Village Hall meeting, on Saturday, attended by more than 200 people.

Lytchett Matravers Parish Council, working with the Community Action in Lytchett Matravers (CALM) group, arranged the meeting to outline key elements of the Purbeck District Local Plan Part 1 Partial Review.

CALM is opposed to up to 980 new houses which could be built in the Green Belt under proposals The partial review highlights a need for an additional 3,080 new houses - on top of 2,520 already agreed for the same period - to be built in Purbeck up until 2033.

However, Mr Tomlinson said: "It is up to us, up to Purbeck as a community to put forward our submissions, as to what the numbers of houses should be.

"These housing numbers have not been imposed, it is up to us to say these are the numbers that we in Purbeck think are right.

"I think we can work constructively with our colleagues on Purbeck District Council to make sure we get the right housing numbers.

"My simple message is please do respond."

Mr Tomlinson was urging residents to respond to the ongoing consultation, running until August 12, which will help guide house building across the district for the next two decades.

Legislation requires local authorities to prepare a local development plan outlining where preferred development should take place.

The Purbeck District Local Plan Part 1 - which identified the need for 2,520 new homes between 2013 and 2033 - was adopted by the council in 2012.

However, since then the Eastern Dorset Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA), published in December last year, has identified the need for an additional 3,080 new homes during the same period.

This means a summary of the proposed housing sites now includes:

  • 1,000 homes at Wool
  • 650 homes at Lytchett Minster
  • 205 homes at North Wareham
  • 500 homes at West Wareham
  • 330 homes at Lytchett Matravers
  • 100 homes at Upton

Mood at the Lytchett Matravers meeting was mixed, with some residents arguing the numbers of new homes were too high, while others argued the need for new housing was essential to the future - especially for younger people anxious to take their first steps on the property ladder.

Lytchett Matravers Parish Council chairman Martyn Colvey said: "Going from 2,520 to more than 5,000 sounds to me much more than a partial review, it sounds like fundamental start again."

"The council met once we knew the scale of these proposals and unanimously agreed to put them before the residents of the village."

How do we respond?

THE consultation runs until 4pm on Friday, August 12.

Households in Purbeck should have already received a leaflet detailing events taking place around the district.

The full consultation material - including details of how to respond - is available online at www.dorsetforyou.com/purbeck-partial-review

Paper copies of the consultation document can be obtained by telephoning the Purbeck District Council on 01929 556561. Paper copies will also be available to view at libraries around the district.