A PLANNING blueprint for Christchurch and East Dorset for the next 15 years is sound and can be adopted, says a government inspector.

The inspector appointed by the Secretary Of State for Communities and Local Government looked at the authority’s Core Strategy and held hearing sessions on a range of topics in September in Christchurch and Wimborne.

The report said the fact that the councils have a joint housing requirement will allow flexibility in meeting five-year housing land supply and the combined housing target is also consistent with national planning policy. The targets for affordable housing on greenfield sites and on brownfield sites are justified and consistent with evidence of need and viability.

The amount of employment land required has been assessed correctly, said the inspector, and the vision and proposals for Bournemouth Airport are “effective”.

Cllr Mike Dyer, lead member for the environment at East Dorset District Council, added: “The support from the inspector for our development strategy, in particular for the delivery of housing and employment land, means that the councils can resist any ad hoc development in the Green Belt and protect the character of urban areas.

“This is in stark contrast to several councils in the area who have either had to undertake a review of their core strategies, or have been told to withdraw them for further work before the examination phase.”