A plan drawn up by local people for future development in a part of west Dorset has been submitted to Dorset Council.

The neighbourhood plan gives local people greater influence over planning decisions in their area.

A final version of the Chesil Bank Neighbourhood Plan (incorporating the villages of Portesham, Abbotsbury, Langton Herring and Fleet) has been submitted to the council for examination.

Locals have worked closely with the local parish council, to reflect the hopes and views of the local community.

Neighbourhood plans were introduced in the Localism Act 2011 and aim to give residents more say in the future use of land and buildings in their area.

The plan can say where new homes, shops or offices might be built or where important green spaces might be protected.

If the neighbourhood plan is approved and supported by a local referendum, it will be used to make decisions on planning applications.

Dorset Council is required to consult on the plan proposals before the examination can take place.

People who live, work or run a business in the Chesil Bank neighbourhood area will have until the end of Friday 3 March 2023, to comment on the plan.

These concerns will then be passed on to an independent examiner to consider.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council's Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: "It takes a tremendous amount of work in order to pull together a neighbourhood plan. I congratulate all involved in getting to this stage.

"I would encourage anyone with an interest in the future development of Chesil Bank, to view the plans and submit any feedback they may have."