The North Dorchester Consortium has released more information about the the proposed Frome Valley Country Park and nature reserve, which would form a key part of the North Dorchester Garden Community if the development is given the go-ahead. 

Covering 200 acres, the new country park will be nearly seven times the size of the Great Field in Poundbury, giving public access to land which is currently private and inaccessible.

The consortium has assured that the existing water meadows are not being developed upon. Instead, a new nature reserve to protect existing wetland habitats for wildlife will be created in this area and a new, sustainable urban drainage system will help to manage water levels.

The North Dorchester Consortium, formed of Grainger and Charles Church, is supporting Dorset Council's controversial proposals to create a new 3,500 home neighbourhood on the northern edge of the county town.

A spokesperson for the North Dorchester Consortium commented: "The proposals for the new Frome Valley Country Park are still in the early stages, but the objective is to work with natural processes to allow more ecology to flourish in and around the river.

"A network of accessible pathways or broadwalks for walkers, cyclists, wheelchairs, pushchairs and mobility scooters could be created with benches for picnics. These paths would connect both sides of the water meadows. 

"A new park next to the water meadows would provide open space to throw and kick a ball around as well as have play equipment for children. "

A new visitor centre with café will take pride of place in the heart of the Frome Valley Country Park. Called the Frome Valley Park Pavilion, this new building will showcase the history of the Frome Valley and it is hoped it will become a focal point for local walking and cycling trails, bringing the water meadows into the Hardy Trail and linking up Charminster so its Hardy connections can be appreciated. 

Wheelchair accessible café and toilet facilities are likely to be provided within this new building, creating an attractive new social hub for the town.

A new website – www.northdorchester.org.uk – explains why the Consortium believes North Dorchester to be the best location for a natural extension to the north of the county town, forming a sustainably-designed community of new homes and jobs, alongside the new Frome Valley Country Park. 

They say that the North Dorchester Garden Community also provide for a new, three-tier education campus to relieve pressure on the oversubscribed schools in the area, along with a new medical centre, and a new link road created between the A37 and A35, to the north of the town, would help relieve traffic on the southern bypass and on Dorchester's High Street.

The 3,500 proposed new homes in the North Dorchester Garden Community would be a mixture of affordable housing for purchase and rent, along with private homes, "helping to meet the significant housing need identified in Dorchester, particularly for those looking to get on the housing ladder for the first time".  

 The developers have ambitions to create one new job for every house planned, from employment associated with the construction over several years, as well as the provision of a new business park to provide modern business space.

 People interested in receiving the latest information regarding progress of the development can register their interest on the website www.northdorchester.org.uk