Continuing the Vision: Cranborne’s Future Development
In 2016, the Estate embarked on a crucial conversation with the Cranborne community, hosting a series of workshops to address a fundamental question: “Should Cranborne grow?” This collaborative process aimed to gauge local sentiment and gather initial thoughts on the future trajectory of our village. The findings from these community discussions were compiled and published in the comprehensive document, The Cranborne Exhibition – A Vision for Cranborne, a copy of which was delivered to every local home.
Refining the Plan
This vision wasn’t a static concept. In 2019, a follow-up event was held in response to a new call for sites across Dorset. Building on the initial feedback, the updated plan sought to address not only the potential scale and character of any future housing growth but also to identify immediate ‘in-fill’ sites and highlight opportunities for community improvements. The goal was to ensure that any development would be thoughtful, proportionate, and aligned with the needs and aspirations of residents.
What’s Next?
The subsequent formation of Dorset as a unitary authority led to a temporary halt in the local plan process. We are pleased to report that the process has now re-started in earnest.
The Dorset Council has recently released its draft sites allocation consultation, and we note that the document includes the sites originally identified in the Cranborne vision back in 2016.
To ensure our response to the Council’s consultation is robust, representative, and up-to-date, we are hosting a community event on 6 October. This meeting will provide a vital opportunity for both the Estate and the community to collectively review the current proposals one more time and to formulate a unified response to the Council’s consultation.
We strongly encourage all residents to attend this event in order to share their viewpoints and help shape the official response. Our shared input is critical to ensuring Cranborne’s future development reflects the vibrant spirit and needs of our village community.
