Dorset
Planning & Building Contacts

Jurassic Coast UNESCO WHS and Dorset National Landscape: Dorset Council must consider the outstanding universal value of the Jurassic Coast and the special qualities of the National Landscape in all relevant planning decisions. Pre-application advice is strongly recommended for any site near the Jurassic Coast, Chesil Beach, Maiden Castle or Corfe Castle. Minerals and waste planning remains with Dorset Council as the county-level strategic authority.

BCP covers the Bournemouth-Christchurch-Poole conurbation. Key planning considerations include Poole Harbour (one of the world's largest natural harbours), Sandbanks peninsula (some of the highest residential land values in the UK), Hengistbury Head and the Christchurch Harbour SPA/Ramsar site. Bournemouth Airport safeguarding zones apply to eastern BCP and parts of adjacent Dorset Council area. BCP's Local Plan 2021-2039 was adopted in 2023.

Coastal erosion and cliff stability are significant issues along the Jurassic Coast. For development near cliffs, Chesil Beach or the Fleet Lagoon, a geotechnical report is typically required alongside the building regulations submission. Building on or near Chesil Beach is subject to strict coastal flood risk and erosion assessments.

BCP Building Control covers one of the most densely developed coastal conurbations in England. Poole Harbour proximity and Bournemouth's sandy cliff geology mean ground stability and coastal flood risk are common considerations. The Branksome Chine and Alum Chine cliff areas have active coastal erosion management programmes.

Historic England is the statutory consultee for Grade I and II* listed buildings, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, and Jurassic Coast WHS setting. Dorset has an exceptionally high density of scheduled monuments reflecting its prehistoric heritage. Consult the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) before any groundworks on sites with archaeological potential.

The Jurassic Coast Trust manages the WHS on behalf of Dorset Council and Devon Council. Developers and landowners should consult the WHS Management Plan before any application affecting the defined WHS or its setting. Key sites: Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Chesil Beach, Portland Bill, Charmouth (fossil hunting), Old Harry Rocks (Studland).

A desktop HER search is recommended for all development sites in Dorset. The county has some of England's richest prehistoric and Iron Age heritage, including the Dorset Cursus, Bronze Age barrow cemeteries and the Purbeck stone quarrying landscape. An archaeological watching brief is frequently conditioned on development sites in Dorset.

The EA is a statutory consultee for flood risk, coastal erosion and environmental permits. The River Stour corridor (Blandford Forum to Christchurch) and the Fleet lagoon at Chesil Beach are key EA focus areas. Use the EA Flood Map for Planning and the relevant Catchment Flood Management Plan for strategic context. Flood Risk Assessments are required for development in Flood Zones 2 and 3.

Poole Harbour Commissioners are the statutory harbour authority for Poole Harbour - the world's second largest natural harbour. Marine works, pontoons, moorings and waterside development adjacent to the harbour require consent from PHC in addition to BCP planning permission. The harbour is designated as SPA, Ramsar and SAC for its birdlife and habitats - Habitats Regulations Assessment is required for any development that could affect the harbour's integrity.

Each unitary authority is the Lead Local Flood Authority and SuDS Approving Body for its area. Drainage for major developments must be submitted to and approved by the relevant LLFA/SAB before commencement. Dorset Wildlife Trust (01305 264620, dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk) is the key ecological consultee for protected species assessments across Dorset and Purbeck.

Wessex Water provides water supply and sewerage across most of Dorset. Contact developer services for new connections, drainage impact assessments and build-over agreements. Pre-application discussions are recommended for larger sites. South West Water serves some areas along the western Dorset border.

Wales & West Utilities operates the gas distribution network across Dorset. Urban areas (Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, Dorchester, Sherborne) are on mains gas. Parts of rural Dorset - particularly in the Purbeck Hills, Cranborne Chase and the Isle of Portland - may not have mains gas; oil, LPG and heat pump systems are common alternatives.

The A35 (Honiton to Lyndhurst through Bridport, Dorchester and Bere Regis) and A31 (Bere Regis to Ringwood) are the principal strategic routes. The A338 links Bournemouth to the A31 at Ringwood. National Highways is a statutory consultee for development with potential impacts on these routes.

The Lulworth Ranges cover approximately 7,000 acres of Purbeck coast between Lulworth Cove and Kimmeridge Bay. The ranges are a statutory consultee for planning applications in the vicinity. The area includes the fossil forest, Fossil Forest SSSI and unique chalk downland accessible to the public when ranges are not in use. The MoD is also a major landholder at Blandford Camp (Blandford Forum) and Bovington Camp (Tank Museum).

Bournemouth Airport operates aviation safeguarding zones that affect development height in parts of BCP and Dorset Council areas to the north and east of the airport. Taller structures (including wind turbines, masts, cranes and tall buildings) must be assessed against CAA safeguarding maps. CAA is the statutory consultee via the NATS safeguarding process.

The Dorset National Landscape (AONB) covers approximately 40% of Dorset, including the Purbeck Hills, much of west Dorset, the Marshwood Vale and the Blackmore Vale. Development within or affecting the setting of the National Landscape must conserve and enhance natural beauty. Dorset Council consults the National Landscape Unit as a statutory consultee. The Cranborne Chase National Landscape (01747 850687, ccwwdnl.org.uk) covers the chalk downland along the Wiltshire border.