HERE is all you need to know about the upcoming referendum to decide on the future development of Weymouth.
The Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan (WNP), a 300-page document, sets out local policies to guide future development and influence planning decisions in the Weymouth area. But what is actually in the plan?
We have highlighted some of the key points.
The plan is designed to protect local character and green spaces whilst enabling sustainable development in Weymouth until 2038.
It has been put together by a steering group which consisted mainly of residents along with some councillors.
It is a legal document required to adhere to conditions set in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which is set by the Government.
A view of Weymouth (Image: Newsquest)
The plan covers various themes, including housing, the local economy, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure, reflecting community aspirations.
If accepted, it will become part of a development plan alongside Dorset Council's Local Plan. Decisions on planning applications would made using both documents and any other material considerations.
Following on from public consultation and approval from an independant examiner, the next stage is for a public referendum.
This will take place on Thursday, December 11.
The plan allocates specific sites for potential residential development, with 3,118 homes over the next 15 years required for the Weymouth area, as determined by Dorset Council.
The plan also requires that 35 per cent of new homes on sites of 10 dwellings or more to be affordable on brownfield sites and 50 per cent on greenfield sites.
Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan sites for development (Image: Weymouth Town Council)
The plan estimates that 134 new affordable homes are needed for rent every year with 108 affordable homes to buy required based upon the housing waiting list for the area.
Land earmarked for potential future developments include Wyke Oliver Farm North (around 250 dwellings) and Redlands Farm (around 150 dwellings) as well as land off Beverley Road in Littlemoor (25 dwellings).
Land at Wyke Oliver Farm between Preston and Littlemoor has ben earmarked for potential future housing developments (Image: Newsquest)
Additionally, land at Lodmoor Old Tip Mid has been recommended for leisure facilities that could include a café or viewing centre for the bird reserve.
Land at Lodmoor Old Tip South has also been earmarked as potential leisure use that would need to compliment those already at the Lodmoor Country Park
Land at Jubilee Sidings is being proposed for employment/training areas such as workshops, offices or a skills centre, along with some housing.
Mount Pleasant Old Tip is earmarked for transport use as well as leisure and renewable energy generation The idea is to potentially revamp the Park and Ride as a transport interchange facility with leisure use encouraged. The current running and cycle tracks would need to be adequately replaced if any development saw them removed.
The plan would also see restrictions to the number of HMOs (homes of multiple occupancy) in areas where there is already plenty.
It is important to note that these are only areas chosen as potential sites and development is not guaranteed.
The plan also strongly focuses on protecting Weymouth's natural environment and addressing flood risk, a significant issue given the town centre's low-lying location.
It identifies and protects 49 Local Green Spaces - which were suggested by local residents - five Coastal Green Recreation Areas, and six 'green gaps' across the town.
These green gaps aim to safeguarding valued local areas from development and ensuring that areas of the town do not merge into one urban space and provide wildlife corridors.
Green gap sites designed to maintain a boundary between different areas of Weymouth to preserve local identity and maintain wildlife corridors (North section of map) (Image: QGIS 3.40.6-Bratislava)
Green gap sites designed to maintain a boundary between different areas of Weymouth to preserve local identity and maintain wildlife corridors (South section of map) (Image: QGIS 3.40.6-Bratislava)
The plan will also seek to protect wildlife habitats and areas which will be protected from development unless this is unviable due to exceptional circumstances.
There would also be policies in place to make sure that public rights of way are protected and that any future developments ensure existing footpaths, bridleways, cycleways and other rights of way are retained.
Radipole Park and Gardens is one of the green spaces on the list of 49
In terms of biological net gain targets, developers would be required to provide an extra 10 per cent of any wildlife habitat destroyed. But the town council would suggest developers create 20 per cent extra, however, this would not be mandatory.
In terms of economic policy, the plan aims to support a vibrant town centre, seeking to fill the gap in evening activity and improve accessibility from key arrival points, like the railway station.
It also aims to encourage year-round employment facilities and supports sustainable tourism development.
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Development proposals for higher and further education, including university-level provision and for skills training, especially associated with technical and green skills would be supported.
Any proposals to create low and zero carbon offshore renewable energy projects that have a shore-based facility would also be supported, as long as they had no adverse impact on the coast.
This section of the plan looks at areas such as heritage, travel, sport and recreation.
The plan states that development proposals must demonstrate, where relevant, that they respect and will cause no harm to heritage assets and their setting.
Policies on how local pubs and community buildings will be protected from development and changes of use will be subject to strict criteria.
Any future developments would also need to identify realistic levels of traffic they are likely to generate and make appropriate assessments of traffic impacts.
This means that any infrastructure or highways improvements necessary to mitigate the impact on the highway network will have been identified and delivered as part of the project.
The plan also states that developments that would give rise to unacceptably severe highway danger and significant air pollution would not be supported.
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Development proposals that make public transport more accessible through improvements to the infrastructure and network such as interchange areas and bus stops, which do not cause unacceptable harm to the surrounding area, would be supported
The plan also sets out policies to support electric vehicle charging points in suitable locations as well as supporting proposals to improve or extend existing cycle routes.
Existing sporting sites will also be protected under the plan which includes Greenhill Bowling Club and Greenhill tennis courts, Littlemoor Skate Park, and the Top Club playing fields, Melcombe Regis Tennis Club, the Mount Pleasant cycle and skate track and its running track.
The Front Skatepark in Weymouth (Image: Chloe Boden)
Redlands Leisure Centre, The Front Skatepark and The Marsh Sportsground will also all be protected under the plan.
To view the Neighbourhood Plan in full visit: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/weymouth-neighbourhood-plan