In March 2008 Christchurch and East Dorset Councils conducted a formal period of public consultation on the joint draft Core Strategy. Comments received through the consultation have been considered by the councils during preparation of the options for consideration document.

The Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy Issues and Options discussion paper addressed a range of planning issues which face Christchurch Borough and East Dorset District. The paper asked for views on a number of possible options which the councils may implement in the future to address these issues. The formal six week consultation on the discussion paper was completed on 6 May 2008.

The Issues and Options paper was prepared to trigger discussion about future planning across both district areas. The document was broken into themed sections, each of which set out a range of identified issues and proposed policy options. The discussion paper that was consulted on is still available to read.

Responses to the Issues & Options consultation

Consultation ran between 25 March and 06 May 2008, during which time 857 responses were received. Summaries of the responses to each of the 15 themes are provided below:

  1. Our Sustainable Future - addressing climate change
  2. Protecting the Natural Environment
  3. The Historic Built Environment
  4. Settlement Strategy
  5. Development in the Green Belt
  6. Urban Extensions
  7. Transport
  8. Town Centre Vitality
  9. Sustainable Economic Growth
  10. Bournemouth International Airport
  11. Delivering Suitable and Sufficient Housing
  12. Community Issues
  13. Improving Sport & Leisure Facilities
  14. Tourism
  15. Funding & Delivering the LDF

Sustainability Appraisal

All options published in the discussion paper were tested against a range of 24 sustainability objectives to assess their potential environmental, social and economic impacts. The councils have produced an Interim Sustainability Statement which provides an assessment of the Issues and Options papers for the Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy and Affordable Housing Development Plan Document. The statement forms an early stage of the overall Sustainability Appraisal process for the emerging Local Development Framework and should also be read in conjunction with the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report that has been produced to underpin the appraisal of the Local Development Framework.

Appendix two to the Interim Sustainability Statement provides a matrix assessment of each of the options against 24 sustainability objectives. These are provided below, summarised by theme.

Sustainability Matrix assessment of Issues & Options:

  1. Climate Change theme
  2. Natural Environment theme
  3. Built Environment theme
  4. Settlement Strategy theme
  5. Development in the Green Belt
  6. Urban Extensions theme
  7. Transport theme
  8. Town Centre Vitality theme
  9. Sustainable Economic Growth
  10. Bournemouth International Airport theme
  11. Delivering Suitable and Sufficient Housing theme
  12. Community Issues theme
  13. Improving Sports & Leisure Facilities theme
  14. Tourism theme
  15. Funding & Delivering the LDF theme
  16. Developing the Vision