TODAY is the last day that people can comment on a major planning blueprint for Dorset which contains proposals for thousands of new homes.

As well as house building, the Dorset Local Plan sets out a blueprint for job creation, roads, and local services, to be used by a guide to enable the council to have more control over where developments can go.

Around 30,500 new homes are proposed for the county by 2038 - although Dorset Council has said the plan is to find land for 39,000 houses.

Current proposals show the largest proportion of new house building will be allocated across Dorchester, Weymouth and Chickerell and surrounding areas, which fall within the Central Dorset geographical area.

The proposals include Dorset's largest new housing development of around 4,000 homes on the historic countryside north of Dorchester.

Other major schemes in the local area include 800 new homes at Chickerell; 400 at Southill; 500 at Markham and Little Francis, and around 1,600 at Crossways/Moreton Station. A total of 11,202 new homes are proposed in Central Dorset.

Residents have until midnight tonight to share their views on the Local Plan.

To have your say, visit Dorset Council's website - where you will also find webinars and podcasts about the proposals: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dorset-council-local-plan.aspx