What is The Neighbourhood Plan?
The Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan is all about shaping our town’s future together. It sets out a vision and key policies for the development and use of land. While it can’t prevent all planning developments, it gives our community a stronger voice in how Shaftesbury evolves.
Our vision for Shaftesbury is clear:
“Shaftesbury will become the best example of how a historic hilltop market town can adapt and thrive in the 21st century—while preserving its unique identity and countryside setting.”
The Plan focuses on five key areas that matter most: Community and Leisure; Town Centre; Housing and Employment; History, Heritage and Design; and Green Infrastructure.
First Review 2025
The First Review (Nov 2025) of the Neighbourhood Plan is now ready for submission. It has not yet been approved by Dorset Council. Details of policy changes since the original plan was made in 2021 can be read in the Modifications Statement.
The public are invited to review and comment on the plan between 12 December 2025 and 30 January 2026. View the Consultation.
Printed copies of the plan can be viewed at Shaftesbury Library, Bell Street, Shaftesbury SP7 8AE (Mon, Tue, Fri 10am to 5pm; Thu midday to 6pm; Sat 10am to 1pm).
Complete Document
First Review 2025 Neighbourhood Plan 
(very large file 140MB)
Individual chapters
First Review 2025 Neighbourhood Plan Chapter 1 (Introduction) (17MB)
First Review 2025 Neighbourhood Plan Chapter 2 (The Town Centre) (15MB)
First Review 2025 Neighbourhood Plan Chapter 3 (Housing & Employment) (26MB)
First Review 2025 Neighbourhood Plan Chapter 4 (Green Infrastructure) (43MB)
First Review 2025 Neighbourhood Plan Chapter 5 (Design & Heritage) (38MB)
First Review 2025 Neighbourhood Plan Chapter 6 (Community, Leisure & Tourism) (15MB)
First Review 2025 Neighbourhood Plan Chapter 7 (Appendices A to P) (35MB)
View the draft documents that went out to public consultation
The 2021 Neighbourhood Plan
Information & Evidence Committee Projects The Neighbourhood Plan
Referendum Result 2021
The Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan referendum was held on Thursday 6 May 2021 and asked residents: “Do you want Dorset Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Shaftesbury to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”
A majority voted in favour of the neighbourhood plan (YES votes: 1556; NO votes: 216). The turnout was 26.9%. More details regarding the results, plus details of the other elections and referendums that took place that day can be found here.
As a result, the plan will now proceed to Cabinet on 22 June 2021 where a decision will be made on formally making the Shaftesbury Neighbourhood Plan part of the development plan for the area covered by Shaftesbury Town Council (the Shaftesbury neighbourhood area).
