THE PARTNERSHIP

The Dorset Heaths Partnership is made up of 10 organisations working together to protect and enhance the Dorset heathlands

Dorset Council
BCP Council
National Trust
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
Dorset Wildlife Trust
Forestry England
Dorset Police
ARC Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust
Natural England
RSBP

The Partnership’s aim is to alleviate urban pressures on the Dorset heaths brought about by new residential development in the area.

This is achieved with a combination of wardening, an inclusive education programme, access management, fire risk assessment and habitat management.

There are several strands of monitoring to establish baseline data and to gauge success of work and projects.

A core team of staff is funded jointly from developer contributions collected by each Local Planning Authority from development within 5km of a heathland site. Dorset Council employs the team on behalf of the partnership.

Funding is formalised in the Dorset Heathlands Planning Framework 2020 – 2025 Supplementary Planning Document adopted by the Local Planning Authorities, available online:

Credit for main header photo – Forestry England