Dorset planning comments: submission and publication rules

For Dorset Council applications, the expiry date for public comments varies by application and is shown through the council’s online planning application search and comment service. Dorset Council requires users to accept the planning register’s terms and conditions before searching by application number or address.

Identifying details and accepted comments

Dorset Council requires a person making a representation to provide their name, address and email address if applicable. Comments received without a name and address are treated as anonymous, and Dorset Council does not accept anonymous comments or consider the views they contain. Dorset Council also does not accept comments submitted through social media or by video.

Acknowledgement and publication

Dorset Council does not respond individually to submissions other than by automated acknowledgement, but says it considers all comments received while determining the application. Comments are displayed on Dorset Council’s website with the commenter’s name and address.

Matters Dorset Council can consider

Dorset Council gives a range of examples of matters that can be relevant to an application:

  • Dorset Council’s examples of material considerations include overlooking, loss of privacy, loss of light, overshadowing, layout and building density.
  • They also include design, appearance, materials and effects on listed buildings or conservation areas.
  • Nature conservation, loss of trees, flood risk, noise, disturbance and odour are further examples given by Dorset Council.
  • The council’s examples also cover road safety, access, car parking and traffic generation.

Dorset Council says it cannot consider loss of a private view, effects on property values, restrictive covenants, personal property rights, or a developer’s motives, record or reputation.

The national planning context

National guidance says anyone can respond to a planning consultation, while the time for comments is stated in the publicity for the application. Comments should be made before the statutory deadline to ensure they are taken into account; a local planning authority may consider late comments at its discretion but has no obligation to do so.

National guidance says decisions must follow material development-plan policies unless material considerations indicate otherwise. A material planning consideration is one relevant to the planning decision, and planning is concerned with land use in the public interest.