Puddletown Area Parish Council

01/06/2026

14/05/2026

May Update.

As we move towards Summer, your Parish Council continues to focus on community safety, good governance, and maintaining local facilities across the parish. Here’s a summary of the main highlights from our May meeting.

Elections: Councillors elected representatives for the 2026–27 civic year. With Cllr Ridout as Chairman, Vice-Chairman for Puddletown & Athelhampton: Cllr Green & Vice-Chairman for Tolpuddle & Burleston: Cllr Patterson

Playparks: Butt Close Play Area is expected to reopen soon following the establishment of grass after the recent installation works. The recent incident in the Puddletown Recreation Playpark where glass was found in the sandpit is being closely monitored. The Caretaker is raking and turning the sand daily to ensure the safety of children playing. Orchard Meadow reported no new issues.

Speed Concerns: The Parish Council noted continued support from residents for reducing the speed limit between Tolpuddle and Puddletown from 60mph to 40mph, with seven messages of support received so far from local residents. Concerns were also raised regarding the short distance between the 60mph and 30mph speed limit changes at the eastern end of Tolpuddle.

Parking and Road Safety: Residents are reminded about Operation Snap, a Dorset Police initiative which allows members of the public to submit dashcam or video footage of driving offences, including dangerous driving, mobile phone use, close passes and illegal parking near a junction. Reports can be submitted online directly to Dorset Police via https://www.dorset.police.uk/opsnap
It is important that as many incidents as possible are reported. Where parking problems are persistent within the parish, evidence gathered through public reports helps support applications to Dorset Council for measures such as Double Yellow Lines and other parking restrictions. Without sufficient evidence demonstrating the scale and frequency of the issue, applications are unlikely to be approved.

Policies and Governance: The Parish Council reviewed and adopted its updated Grant Awarding Policy, which is now available on the Parish Council website.

Community Updates: The Parish Council noted upcoming highways works scheduled for Puddletown High Street between 24th and 27th August, taking place between 9am and 4pm.

Next Council Meeting: Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday 9th June 2026 at 7pm in Tolpuddle Village Hall. Residents are always welcome to attend, listen to discussions, and raise matters of local interest.

Parish Council contact details: (Please remember to give permission for your details to be shared with Councillors, but note your details will NOT be shared with anyone else)
Clerk: Michelle Harrington, Email: [email protected], Write: 34 Egmont Road, Poole Dorset BH16 5BZ, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PuddletownAPC/,
Website: http://www.puddletownareaparishcouncil.gov.uk

Puddletown Area Parish Council represents the communities of Athelhampton, Burleston, Puddletown, and Tolpuddle. Our mission is to serve and represent the interests of our community. We strive to enhance the quality of life for residents by preserving our village’s heritage, supporting local servi...

15/04/2026

As spring gets underway, your Parish Council continues to focus on community safety, local facilities, and supporting the smooth running of services across the parish. Here’s a summary of the main highlights from our April meeting.

Playparks: Butt Close remains temporarily closed to allow the grass to establish following the recent installation of new equipment.

Community Governance: The Council is pleased to note that the Clerk has successfully passed the Level 4 qualification in Community Governance, further strengthening the professional support available to the Parish Council.

Speed Monitoring and Road Safety: Following earlier discussions on road safety, the Council has agreed to commission two speed surveys in the Burleston area. This will help build evidence to better understand traffic speeds and inform any future requests for changes.

Community Matters: Annual Parish Meeting: Due to difficulties confirming a suitable venue, this year’s Annual Parish Meeting will be cancelled.

Planning & Licensing Decisions: The Council considered the following applications:
Application No: P/HOU/2026/01260. Holm Bush, Puddletown – Extension to outbuilding: No comment.
Application No P/HOU/2026/01291. The Myrtles, Puddletown – Replacement Conservatory roof: No objection.
Notice of Appeal Application No P/FUL/2024/07467. Muston Down Farm, Druce – Appeal relating to a rural worker’s dwelling: No further comment.
Full planning application details can be found on the Dorset Council website.

Action Plan and Communication: Work continues on developing the Parish Council Action Plan, ensuring transparency around current and completed projects. As part of improving communication, monthly newsletter articles will now also be shared across Puddletown and Tolpuddle social media pages to help keep residents informed.

Next Council Meeting: Our meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, usually alternating between Puddletown Village Hall and Tolpuddle Village Hall. Our next meeting is Tuesday 12th May 2026, at 7pm in the Puddletown Village Hall. Please come and join us and have your say.
Parish Council contact details: (Please remember to give permission for your details to be shared with Councillors, but note your details will NOT be shared with anyone else)
Clerk: Michelle Harrington, Email: [email protected], Write: 34 Egmont Road, Poole Dorset BH16 5BZ, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PuddletownAPC/, Website:

10/02/2026

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SOUTHOVER FARM ACCESS ROAD, TOLPUDDLE
DORSET COUNCIL has issued a Notice under Section 14 [2] of the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 as amended. All vehicles will be
prohibited from proceeding along Southover Farm Access Road, Tolpuddle from the junction with Southover Lane to a
point approximately 80 metres to the south (in both directions). The Notice is needed in order to comply with health and safety
regulations which require the provision of safe working areas and to minimise likelihood of danger to highway users. It will come
into operation on 24th February 2026 and remain in force for five days, however it is anticipated that the works will be completed
by 24th February 2026.
This Notice will provide Openreach with a safe working area to replace a telegraph pole.
There will be no alternative route on this occasion, however access will be maintained.
For further information about the work being undertaken and access arrangements, call Openreach on 07971 142611. To discuss
this Notice, contact Dorset Council on 01305 221020 or use our website: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/roadworks/enquiries.
9th February 2026
JAN BRITTON, Executive Director for Place Services - Dorset Council, County Hall, Dorchester DT1 1XJ. Any person who uses or
permits the use of a vehicle in contravention of the Notice will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1000.