WOOL residents are one step closer to having greater influence over planning decisions in their village. 

The parish council, which also covers Bovington, has submitted its new neighbourhood plan for independent examination. 

Residents have drawn up the plans and agreed to by the parish council, who feel confident that the plan reflects the hopes and views of the village. 

If approved, it will give residents more of a say on where new homes, shops or offices might be built, or what they should look like. 

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

People who live, work or run a business in the Wool parish area have until Friday, October 18 to submit comments regarding the proposed neighbourhood plan. 

The plan and any comments received will then be passed on to an independent examiner to consider.  

Shane Bartlett, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for planning, said: “It takes a tremendous amount of work in order to put together a neighbourhood plan. I congratulate all involved in getting to this stage. 

“Neighbourhood plans give local communities a real say in how their area should change over time. I would therefore encourage anyone with an interest in the future development of Wool to view the plans and submit any feedback they may have.”  

The plan can be viewed online. The website can also be used for submitting comments.  

Copies of the neighbourhood plan will also be available for public inspection at: Wool Community Library (open Tuesday and Wednesday 3pm to 5pm, and Thursday and Saturday 10am to midday); and Bovington HIVE (01929 403185).