The Phase 1 Planning Application for the extension of the Shillingstone Station and railway to Bere Marsh is now available to view online.

The application by North Dorset Railway for engineering and landscaping works and the relaying of track, along with enhancements to the trailway, can be found in the North Dorset section of the council’s website at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/planning or at the Dorset Council offices, during normal working hours, reference P/FUL/2020/0044, with a closing date for comments of March 3.

The application was filed in December but a backlog of applications at Dorset Council delayed its validation, and NDR say that liaising with council representatives has presented some challenges, since the council’s capacity has been severely reduced during a period of major reorganisation and the overwhelming effects of covid-19 on their staff and ways of working.

NDR chairman David Caddy said he hoped people would look at the application, which includes the results of the various studies and assessments prepared by NDR’s planning and development committee in a complex process.

“We are very fortunate to have retired civil engineers on our volunteer team along with a retired planning officer, and have benefitted enormously from their professional expertise in bringing this application to fruition. I would like to emphasise that most of what you see and read in the application, including reports, plans and diagrams, has been completed by NDR volunteers and add my personal thanks to all those involved.”

Subject to the outcome of this consultation period, and the planning officer’s assessment of the proposals, they hope to receive a decision on the planning application by early summer. Preparatory discussions have been held with the council regarding the necessary extension to NDR’s lease which requires planning approval before it can proceed further. Agreement for both will enable them to start preparatory site work soon after.

EXTENSION PLANS; Looking towards Bere Marsh from the JUST THE TICKET: Shillingstone station end of the current station site

JUST THE TICKET: Shillingstone station

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