A future vision for Dorchester has been criticised as "short-sighted, uninspiring and outdated" in a public consultation on Dorset Council's draft local plan.

A public consultation the draft local plan – which will shape development across Dorset for the next 16 years – took place in early 2021.

More than 50,000 comments on the separate policies were made by some 6,000 respondents and a summary of these has now been published on the council's website.

Dorchester is the the second largest town in the local plan area, and was described as having a "significant demand for housing, employment and retail development, and a substantial affordable housing need". 

The plan outlines its vision for Dorchester, saying that in 2038 the town will:

• Be a quality county town with a significant offer of retail, health, cultural, leisure and community facilities
• Have an attractive and vibrant sub-regional town centre that people come to enjoy, away from motor traffic
• Continue to be a public sector hub whilst having a more diverse local economy with good employment and education opportunities
• Be a place where more people can live and work locally, without having to commute
• Have a balanced population meeting the housing needs of younger working people and families as well as the old
• Have good quality transport links to the surrounding towns and rural area
• Have a high standard of design that promotes the character and heritage that is special to Dorchester
• Make the most of the surrounding countryside, including its links with Thomas Hardy, Maiden Castle and Kingston Maurward College

The main development areas recognised in the plan include the controversial mixed use development on land north of Dorchester, nicknamed 'Norchester', with 3,500 houses proposed along with community facilities and employment land.

Other potential development areas include: 

• Poundbury - a further 1,200 homes with planning permission and employment land
• Brewery Square, Weymouth Avenue - a further 240 homes with planning permission
• Former Dorchester Prison - 185 new homes with planning permission 
• Land off St George's Road and land off Allington Avenue - 115 new homes
• Land south of Castle Park - 100 new homes 

Responses to the public consultation now published on the Dorset Council criticise the vision for Dorchester, suggesting that some of the development proposals contradict the plan's own aims.

One respondent commented: "The proposed North Dorchester allocation is in contradiction with the last bullet of the vision that seeks to make the most of the surrounding countryside."

Another said: "The vision for Dorchester is short-sighted and uninspiring and could have been written about any other town in the UK."

Another respondent added: "The vision seems outdated and bland with too much emphasis on retail. There is a need to emphasise: mixed-use; Dorchester as a cultural destination; the heritage of the town; and the need to protect heritage assets."

One respondent said: "The vision for Dorchester is contradictory because it promotes building houses to meet the requirements of existing jobs while at the same time attracting new jobs."

The vision was also criticised for not mentioning the climate emergency and climate change, while one respondent suggested it could be improved by promoting more accessibility.

Some raised concerns about the level of new housing proposed for Dorchester, with one commenting: "The proposals for Dorchester significantly outstrip the proposals for any other settlement. No other town has this level of planned growth and resultant population increase."

Another said: "The amount of housing proposed at Dorchester is disproportionate to the rest of the county and flies in the face of environmental policy."

While several respondents recognised the need for more housing for local people in Dorchester, and supported the north Dorchester development, it was also heavily criticised the consultation, with Dorchester Town Council and several other surrounding parish councils objecting.

Some respondents also raised concerns about the decline of Dorchester town centre, commenting:"Dorchester is no longer a retail destination. The town centre is run down with many empty shops following store closures."

Several suggested that a focus should be put on regenerating and repurposing existing empty buildings in the town, rather than new developments.

One commented: "Remodelling the centre should be a priority with an emphasis on rebuilding Dorchester centrally."

Another added:"The existing town centre should be regenerated, rather than expanded, with a focus on rejuvenation and adaptation." 

A summary of consultation responses can be viewed here.

Commenting on the responses, Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council's portfolio holder for Planning, said: "Officers have given time to every comment that was received during the consultation. We have been given specific details that will help us formulate the plan.

"We are grateful for everyone who has commented, there are many genuine issues which will be considered going forward."

Although the timescale for the development of the Dorset Council Local Plan has been extended, evidence gathering has continued. 

The Dorset Council Local Plan will outline the strategy for:

• Providing the growth Dorset needs
• Locating development in suitable places
• Providing community services including schools, retail, leisure, and community facilities
• Ensuring the appropriate character and quality of development
• Protecting the environment, and
• Acting on and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Full proposals for the Dorchester area can be found here.