Dorchester town centre. Picture: Dorset Echo/Michael Taylor WORK on a town centre ‘masterplan’ for Dorchester will start later this month and continue into the autumn. Town councillors will work up what they think is needed for the county town at an initial meeting on August 23 and then finalise their views in October ready for a public consultation on the proposals, which could begin in November. Many councillors are not convinced that the Dorset Council Local Plan proposals reflect what is wanted in Dorchester and several have claimed that it fails completely to recognise changes taking place in high street shopping and the trend to close offices and other businesses, converting properties to homes.
Jane Ashdown, chair of STAND Prior to the protest, organised by members of STAND (Save the Area North of Dorchester), a petition against the development received more than 5,000 signatures, which will be debated by Dorset councillors in April next year.
Crowds listen on as speakers from the STAND group give their views However, chairman of STAND Jane Ashdown said the council s debate should be moved forward and taken more seriously because of the size of the proposed development and the impact it could have on the environment. She said: The development is the equivalent of two Poundburys which could have a huge environmental impact. We estimate each of the 4,000 new homes will have at least one car, which will add congestion and pollution to the area.
Six-month delay to Dorset s Local Plan - with no reason given by council chief dorsetecho.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dorsetecho.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Six-month delay to Dorset s Local Plan dorsetecho.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dorsetecho.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.