DEVELOPMENT sites in Weymouth and west Dorset are being sought.

Land which could be suitable for new homes and business units over the next 15 years and beyond is being identified by West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council.

It comes as the councils reviewing their recently adopted Joint Local Plan. To help with this process the councils are carrying out a 'call for sites' to identify sites that may have potential for development.

Just because certain parcels of land are considered it doesn't mean they will be developed as they may not be suitable.

Cllr Ian Gardner, West Dorset District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: “The ‘call for sites’ is an opportunity for agents, landowners and developers to submit land which they believe could be developed to meet future demand for homes and jobs.

“This will help to ensure that there is sufficient land available within our local areas to meet our development needs.”

Cllr Ray Nowak, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s spokesman for Environment and Sustainability, said: “An assessment of land availability is needed to provide a realistic assumption about the availability, suitability and the likely economic viability of land to meet the identified need for housing and economic development uses over the local plan time frame.

“This approach ensures that all land is assessed together as part of plan preparation to identify which sites or broad locations are the most suitable and deliverable for a particular use.”

If you are aware of any site(s) that may have development potential let the councils know by completing and submitting a site submission form which can be downloaded from dorsetforyou.gov.uk/SHLAA/west/weymouth. Alternatively paper copies can be requested from the Spatial Policy Team by email at s.policy@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk or on 01305 252386.

Completed site submission forms can be posted to West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester, DT1 1UZ or email s.policy@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk

All site owner details submitted as part of the ‘call for sites’ will remain confidential. To be assessed sites will need to be submitted by Friday 19 August 2016, sites submitted after this deadline will however still be considered.