Latest News - The Orchards and Margaret Marsh Parish Council

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31/1/2026: Amber Flood Warning

Earlier today, the Environment Agency issued an Amber warning for groundwater flooding across a wide area of Dorset. This is expected to remain in place for the next five days. It coincides with a Yellow weather warning for rain on Monday and Tuesday.

An Amber warning means there is an increased risk of flooding to properties. Our Emergency Planning team is in close contact with the Environment Agency to gather more detailed intelligence and identify any potential hotspots. You can find a full list of flood alerts and warnings, along with a live map, here.

10/12/2025: Council Agree 2026-27 Precept

Every year, the Parish Council has to approve a budget to fund its services.

The 'Precept' is the portion of the budget that is raised through the council tax charged to residents.

At the Meeting of the Full Council on 8th December 2025, it was RESOLVED to APPROVE the following:

OVERALL BUDGET:

The Budget for 2026-27 at £4584, 12% less than 2025-26.

PRECEPT:

The Precept at £4584, which equates to a band-D equivalent charge of £31.75, an increase of £1.10 over 2025-26.

Dorset Council Local Plan Options Consultation 2025

The consultation runs from 18 August to 13 October 2025. It highlights opportunities to address the future development needs of the Dorset Council area and, once finished, will guide planning decisions across Dorset and shape the future of housing, employment, infrastructure, and environmental protection in our county.

You can view the consultation documents online at: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/dorset-council-local-plan-options-consultation-2025, in Dorset libraries and at County Hall, Dorchester.

How to submit your comments: Online via the consultation portal and survey, which will help Dorset Council analyse responses quickly. Or download a response form, complete it electronically or by hand, and send it to: email: planningpolicyconsult@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk (subject line: Dorset Local Plan Options 2025) or post it to Dorset Council (address on the consultation website). All comments must be submitted by 13 October 2025.

Local Plan drop-in session will take place at Shaftesbury Town Hall, Tuesday 16th September from 2-6pm where you can speak with officers, ask questions, and find out more about the proposals before submitting your response.

1/11/2025: Parish Council Statutory Notice

9/10/2025: Wessex Water Drop in

29/9/2025: Dorset Climate Action Group - Open Zoom Event

Online event hosted by DorsetCAN, taking an informative look at the Dorset Local Plan and public consultation

Wednesday 1st October 7 pm - 8:30 pm

Interested in the Council's plans for housing over the coming 17 years, but don’t know quite how to respond? This event will take an in-depth look at the site's consultation and the areas and towns it may impact, and discuss how to respond effectively to the council with your individual comments.

Giles Watts - Dorset CAN (Chair): Introduction & context to Local Plan, incl. national targets and relationship with other current consultations

Belinda Bawden (DCAN, Dorset Cllr for Lyme Regis): Outline of Local Plan Sites Consultation and how people can respond positively with individual views.

Registration Required - Register here to access the meeting link

Please feel free to pass this invite on to anyone you think may be interested in attending.

18Aug2025: Dorset Council Local Plan Options Consultation 2025

Dorset Council has published the Local Plan Options Consultation 2025, which runs from 18 August to 13 October 2025. It sets out opportunities for meeting the future development needs of the Dorset Council area, and once completed, will guide planning decisions across Dorset and shape the future of housing, jobs, infrastructure, and environmental protection in our county.

The Local Plan is Dorset Council’s response to the Government’s requirement to address the national housing shortage, enable economic growth, and deliver the infrastructure needed to support this growth. Importantly, the plan also considers how planning can conserve and enhance Dorset’s environment and address climate change.

What is included in the consultation? Alongside the main consultation document, there are many supporting papers, including: Opportunity Sites for Housing, Opportunity Sites for Employment, Opportunity Sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople, Opportunity Areas for Renewable Energy, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Sustainability Appraisal and Background evidence papers

You can view the consultation documents online at: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/dorset-council-local-plan-options-consultation-2025. The main consultation document will also be available in Dorset libraries and at County Hall, Dorchester.

Deadline for responses: All comments must be submitted by 13 October 2025.

Local Plan drop-in session: Shaftesbury Town Hall, Tuesday 16th September from 2-6pm. See here for other venues. This is an opportunity to speak with officers, ask questions, and find out more about the proposals before submitting your response.

15July2025: Latest News from Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner

Dorset Police and partners ‘Good Safe Summer’ campaign, designed to proactively encourage people living or visiting Dorset to come and enjoy all our county whilst highlighting that Dorset Police will not tolerate crime and that patrols continue in tourist areas as part of Op Track, which has delivered a ore than 66% reduction in both ASB and viloent crime in hotspot area.

The leaflet provides progress updates, ‘contact’ details and reporting advice. You can download a copy here; Contact and Engagement Leaflet 2025 · Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner.

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