Out now! Survey results on Weymouth’s Neighbourhood Plan 

The survey results found that Weymouth residents nominated the view from Bowleaze as their favourite!

Weymouth’s Neighbourhood Plan team, supported by the Dorset Coast Forum, have thanked Weymouth communities for participating in the public consultation surveys that ran over the summer. The results, including Key Findings and Messages are now available on Weymouth Town Council’s website and the Dorset Coast Forum Have Your Say website!

The surveys helped raise awareness of the important role that having a Neighbourhood Plan plays in setting out the policies that are used to help make decisions about future planning applications in the area, including identifying open spaces that residents would like to protect from development.

During public events, three facilitated community drop-ins and five themed surveys 2,351 comments and ideas were collated and analysed defining what people in Weymouth valued about their communities. This included their key responses to questions about housing, jobs and the natural and built environment of Weymouth town centre and the surrounding community areas within the boundary of the Neighbourhood Plan.

1,100 people visited the website, over 250 engaged with the surveys at events, 444 surveys were completed and 42,000 people viewed the social media posts encouraging everyone to take part.

Cllr David Northam, who is leading on this work for Weymouth Town Council, said: “Giving everyone an opportunity to have a say and help shape future development, helps us focus on community needs and prepare a Neighbourhood Plan which will influence the future well-being, sustainability, and long-term preservation of Weymouth’s distinct communities. Thank you, Weymouth for taking part and giving your views on this important issue.”

Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer Sara Parker explains the importance of everyone getting involved: “The results of this round of public consultation have been incredibly valuable providing the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan team with some really detailed insight into what our Weymouth communities value or want to see protected or developed. We’ve made some brilliant connections within communities that will continue to inform and shape the process with its next steps. The five themes meant we have a real depth of understanding across a range of subjects from access to affordable housing, to where people would like to see new allotment sites to what types of new jobs Weymouth needs.”

Next steps?

The draft Neighbourhood Plan is now being prepared for release in March 2023 and formal consultation. Ahead of this, in January 2023, Weymouth Town Council will publicise a short questionnaire on considerations around land-use in Weymouth.

To find out more detail about the emerging Neighbourhood Plan including the boundary area, visit www.weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan or email neighbourhood@weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk

Ends

Notes to Editors 

The latest information and updates from Weymouth Town Council can be found on the website, Facebook, and Twitter pages.