Swanage residents and businesses are being asked to comment on a final draft of the Swanage Local Plan before it is submitted to an independent planning inspector.

What is the Swanage Local Plan?

The Swanage Local Plan will become the formal guide to preferred development within the town. It is part of the wider Purbeck District Local Plan, which is essentially a blueprint for preferred development in the district until 2027.

What exactly is being consulted on and who can comment?

This latest consultation asks all residents and businesses to comment on a draft of the Swanage Local Plan called a pre-submission document. This has been prepared jointly by Purbeck District Council, Swanage Town Council and the Swanage Town and Community Partnership, comprising local groups people and community groups.

Which areas does the document identify as potential housing sites?

The pre-submission plan identifies three settlements to provide around 200 new homes, including 52 homes which already have planning permission.

These sites are for approximately 90 homes at Northbrook Road East; approximately 90 homes at Northbrook Road West; and around 20 homes at Prospect Farm.

Does this mean there will definitely be new homes built on these three sites and nowhere else in Swanage?

No, the Swanage Local Plan is a blueprint for the preferred development site in town. This is not a planning application for 200 homes. Developers wishing to build within Swanage would still have to go through the normal planning process. What the plan does do is ensure the local authority has a strong defence against any planning proposals that fall outside of the areas identified. Planning applications will almost certainly be determined in accordance with the development plan.

What could happen to the Prospect Allotments under the pre-submission document?

The plan states very clearly that should the town council decide to take the allotment site forward, proposals would need to include provision of new allotments to replace any lost to development.

What else is covered in the Swanage Town Plan?

Residents and businesses are also asked to comment on plans outlined in the document which highlight an area on the north-western edge of the existing town centre, between the station and Kings Road, as a possible site for future town centre development.

This could include:

• New shopping floor space - both food and non food

• A replacement health centre facility, subject to approval by NHS England.

• New and replacement car parking

• Exploration of provision of new focal point to the town centre, such as a town square.

• Improvements for bus and taxi passengers in the proximity of the town’s railway station.

Have residents had the chance to shape this document already?

In 2014, more than 800 people had their say on issues and options for future development in Swanage.

Where can I find a copy of the Swanage Local Plan pre-submission document to read?

Visit dorsetforyou.com/swanage-local-plan

When does the consultation end?

The six week consultation deadline is 4pm on Friday, November 6, 2015. After this, comments will be passed to the independent planning inspector for consideration as part of the examination of the Swanage Local Plan.