28 August 2018

Simplified planning for Dorset Innovation Park moves a step closer

Simplified planning for Dorset Innovation Park moves a step closer

A Local Development Order (LDO) has been submitted as a proposed means of simplifying the planning process for a key Dorset employment site, with further consultation taking place this August and September.

An LDO for Dorset Innovation Park, Dorset's Enterprise Zone which is hosted by Dorset LEP, will help streamline planning for the site, developing its identity whilst respecting the local environment.

The LDO has been led by Purbeck District Council, and has been prepared by a team of consultants over the last 8 months, with feedback from residents and interested parties received in early 2018.

During late August and September, there will be an opportunity for the local community to comment on the LDO. Purbeck District Council will also be consulting with statutory consultees

The LDO, once approved, will enable the fast-tracking of planning approval for employment development, subject to a number of conditions which are proposed within the Order.

Public consultation will run between 28 August and 25 September 2018. The LDO, LDO/2018/0001 and its related documents, are available online at: https://planningsearch.purbeck-dc.gov.uk/PlanAppSrch.aspx

A questionnaire in response to the consultation will be available online from 28 August 2018 at  www.surveymonkey.com/r/dorset-LDO

Public consultation drop-in events, staffed by project team representatives will be taking place in Wool during September on the following dates:

  • Tuesday 4 September:  D’Urberville Centre, Wool, 12pm to 8pm
  • (Thursday 6 September, for site users only at Chesil House, Dorset Innovation Park 10 am to 4pm)
  • Friday 7 September:  D’Urberville Centre, Wool, midday until 8pm – public consultation
  • Saturday 8 September: the gatehouse Dorset Innovation Park (DT2 8ZB) between 1pm and 4pm, including escorted tours of the site by minibus for interested members of the public. Anyone interested in taking the tour should sign up on the day at the gatehouse.

Dorset Innovation Park Enterprise Zone is Dorset’s second largest strategic employment site. It is an advanced engineering and manufacturing cluster of excellence for the South West, building on strengths in, marine, defence and energy technology.

Significant investment in the whole site by Purbeck District Council, Dorset County Council and Dorset LEP is providing a new opportunity for businesses by offering attractive Enterprise Zone benefits such as business rate reduction, simplified planning and full fibre broadband connectivity.

Councillor Cherry Brooks, Purbeck District Council and Dorset County Council member and portfolio holder said: “Having a Local Development Order means we can enable co-ordinated development at the site, speeding up the planning process, whilst safeguarding the special qualities of this sensitive area.”

Councillor Brooks continued: “We believe that an LDO will be a unique selling point for the site, reducing risk for developers and enabling appropriate development to proceed smoothly, thereby creating quality jobs and boosting the local economy. This will address two of the Council’s corporate priorities of improving the local economy and infrastructure and protecting and enhancing the local environment.”

Jim Stewart, Chair of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, welcomed the LDO proposal for Dorset Innovation Park. He said:  “The Local Development Order is the key that will unlock rapid investment in the site by target sector companies, reducing the planning process from several months to less than 28 days.

The LDO will benefit those wanting to expand their existing businesses on site, relocate to take advantage of business rate relief, or respond quickly to newly awarded contracts.

This will all lead to new highly skilled employment opportunities and an increase in employment productivity for Dorset.”

Following the public consultation, the LDO, with any resulting changes, will be considered by Purbeck District Council planning committee before the end of November 2018.