Weymouth's Neighbourhood Plan is expected to go to public consultation early next year. 

Weymouth Town Council has issued an update on the progress of its Neighbourhood Plan, which will go to the next meeting of Weymouth Town Council's full council on November 20.  

It is expected to be endorsed by the town council and then submitted to Dorset Council, which will put the plan out to public consultation early in 2025.

READ: Preston residents frustrated at Neighbourhood Plan

Residents are opposed to plans to build a total of 480 homes on greenfield sites in Preston, which formed part of an earlier draft of the plan, which sets policies for the town's future development up to 2038.

Land is allocated for new homes as part of the plan - with two sites put forward in Preston on land off Budmouth Avenue and what is described as Wyke Oliver Farm North.

In the run up to November’s full council meeting, the latest draft version of the Neighbourhood Plan document will be published on the town council’s website on Tuesday, November 12.

The updated version will reflect changes made from feedback received through the formal consultation about what development is desired where and what land should be protected in Weymouth.

Until the current draft is published to the public it is not yet known if the sites in Preston remain part of it. 

On Thursday, November 14, a drop-in session is being held at the town hall on Commercial Road between 11am and 6pm.

The drop-in will provide an opportunity for people to come along and seek clarification on the plan and ask questions about how it has changed.

There will be an opportunity to make formal comments when Dorset Council put it out for a six-week consultation next year.

The area covered in Weymouth’s Neighbourhood Plan is the largest in Dorset and one of the biggest in England.

It has been prepared by residents and councillors who make up the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group during several rounds of engagement and consultation. 

READ: Tory councillors in Weymouth snub neighbourhood plan group

In May, Conservative councillors on the town council turned down the opportunity to sit on a group which is working on the town's neighbourhood plan, due to their past disagreements with it.

David Northam, chairman of the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, said: “Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan over the last three years.

"We are now at the stage where Weymouth Town Council will be presented with the updated plan and endorsement sought.

“When endorsed and the plan submitted to Dorset Council, this will provide an opportunity for Weymouth residents to have a say on it.

"There will then be a referendum on whether you support the plan or not. Your involvement is important for you and your children’s future in Weymouth.”

Weymouth Town Council will hold the full council meeting in the Chesham Suite room at the Rembrandt Hotel, not the usual town hall, for the meeting on November 20.

This is to allow more people to attend if they are interested in coming along.

The meeting starts at 7pm.