LATEST NEWS - 25 October 2025

The next meeting of the Parish Council is on the 3 November 2025 at 7:00PM in the Village Hall.  All are most welcome to attend.

UPDATE ON DORSET IS CHANGING - DEADLINE DATE EXTENDED

Message to all Dorset Town and Parish Councils (BCC) from Dorset Council:

We have extended the deadlines for both our Local Plan and Local Transport Plan consultations in response to high levels of public engagement and some problems with the online consultation platform, for which we apologise.

The Local Transport Plan consultation will now close on Monday 20 October and the Local Plan consultation will close on Friday 31 October.

The two consultations, which are running simultaneously, have generated significant interest from across the county but residents have said that the online surveys are very slow to load which has made it difficult for some people to submit their views.

We are sorry that residents have been frustrated by the complexity and time to complete the survey and have extended the deadline to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to take part.

Jan Britton, Dorset Council’s Executive Director responsible for planning and transport,  said:

“We’re really encouraged by the level of interest in both consultations, it shows how much people care about the future of Dorset. We’re sorry that some residents have experienced issues accessing the online platform, and we want to make sure no one is prevented from having their say.

“That’s why we’re keeping both consultations open online and by email for longer. The Local Transport Plan consultation will stay open until 20 October and the Local Plan consultation until 31 October.

“We’re also reminding people that alternative formats are available. As well as sending their comments by email, residents can use the Easy Read versions of both plans, which are available on our website as we want to make sure the process is accessible to everyone.”

Residents can continue to respond:

Online: Dorset is changing - Dorset Council

By email:

Local Plan: [email protected]

Local Transport Plan: [email protected]

Alternative formats and Easy Read documents are available on the Dorset Council website or by request via the email addresses above.

We are encouraging residents to respond as soon as possible and not leave it until the final days, as high demand may continue to affect access.

NOTICE OF SPEED LIMIT CHANGE

 As you may know, in December 2022, Cheselbourne Parish Council undertook a survey of all residents to gauge views on reducing the speed limit through the village from the current 30 mph to 20 mph. Of those residents who responded, the overwhelming view was that that the speed limit should be reduced.

The Parish Council made a formal application to Dorset Council to reduce the speed limit in early 2023. The application received the necessary legal powers in April 2025.

The Parish Council has been advised that the speed limit reduction through the village will be effective from Friday, 17th October.  

For more information please see files concerning the 20 mph changes on this page.

Dorset is Changing

There is a consultation period for the for the Dorset Plan, which can be accessed via this link: Dorset is changing - Dorset Council.  All are encouraged to provide input to the Local Plan and the Local Transport Plan.  There are also "come and speak to us sessions", dates are published on the same site, they are also listed in the document below labelled "Dorset is Changing Help Us Shape it".

Dorset Community Transport – PlusBus

The Parish Councils of Ansty, Hilton, Melcombe Bingham, Melcombe Horsey, MIlton Abbas and Cheselbourne have jointly funded a PlusBus service which will collect passengers from their homes and take them into Dorchester or Blandford.  The service is provided by Dorset Community Transport and runs on Wednesdays to Dorchester and, on alternate weeks, on Thursdays to Blandford.  Please see attached flyers for more details on the service, including how to register and the fare price, currently £7, National Bus Passes are also accepted.

Alternatively, this link will take you to the Plus Bus Page:  ECT Charity - PlusBus services to and from Dorchester and ECT Charity - PlusBus services to and from Blandford.

Planning Applications

None received at this time.

 

 

CHESELBOURNE (or Chesilborne) is a parish and small village of about 140 houses and a population of 296 (2011 census), situated 8 miles north-east of Dorchester station and 11 miles south-west of Blandford  in the chalk downlands of West Dorset. The Parish Church of St. Martin (diocese of Salisbury) is a flint and stone church in the Gothic style with parts dating back to the 13th century, which sits centrally in the village. There is also a village school catering for primary school children from Cheselbourne and the surrounding area. Cheselbourne has a village hall which is used by the school during the day, for various events during evenings and weekends and is available for hire. There is also a public house the Rivers Arms at the Southern entrance to the village.

The Parish Council meets in the Village Hall on the first Monday in the month, every 2 months and everyone is welcome to attend. Agendas are posted on this website and the council noticeboards at the Rivers Arms and the School at least 3 working days prior to the meeting.