LATEST proposals to redevelop the Dorchester Prison site are being challenged by Dorchester Civic Society.

It has questioned the legality of the current applications, arguing that the developers should submit a new overall application which would lead to a review and update of their assessment of viability and the provision of affordable housing.

The developers had previously said that to provide any 'affordable' homes would make the project financial unviable. It has argued that because many of the properties being created will be relatively small they will be within the range of first-time buyers, or retirees seeking to downsize.

Said a Civic Society spokesperson: "It seems that the current application cannot be considered as an amendment to already approved plans which have been lawfully implemented. Instead, the application should be considered against the current permanent lawful use of the site for leisure and community uses. This is important as it will allow for such matters to be re-considered as to the provision of affordable housing."

It believes that while developers City & Country have improved the designs it is also pushing ahead with an increased amount of new development which the Society claims will dominate the site and have a detrimental effect on nearby listed buildings.

It has called for some of the buildings to be a storey lower, at three rather than four floors, and for renewable energy to feature more widely across the site.

Society members would also like to see the developers aim for the entire site to be car-free which, in turn, would ease pressure on the narrow access to North Square between the Corn Exchange and St Peter's Church where a slight widening of a pavement is proposed.

Landscaping plans.

The redevelopment of the prison site for housing was first agreed in February 2017 and was supposed to have started within three years – although it was not until January 2020 that the developers confirmed their 'intention' to commence the development by demolishing a boiler house building.

The latest proposals for the site include removing the inner of the twin prison walls to the south of the site which will allow the perimeter route to link more directly between the main entrance and the inner site.

The two current applications being considered by Dorset Council P/FUL/2023/00713 and P/LBC/2023/02514 – both can be viewed on the council's website.