Dorchester's new mayor has added her voice against proposals for 4,000 homes north of the county town.

Councillor Janet Hewitt said the decision needed to be taken by Dorchester people.

"Should this development go ahead, as part of the Dorset local plan in spite of the threat to our water supply identified by Wessex Water, it is most unlikely to meet our real local housing need which is for truly affordable housing to buy or to rent for working people on Dorset wages and salaries.

"It will utterly destroy the rural setting of our town, so eloquently described in Thomas Hardy's writing, it will not be linked to the town and will put huge extra pressure on our roads, our health and education services and, most importantly, that vigorous sense of community which is the county town.

"I hope the community can share their thoughts with the town council that we want our say in how our town develops; Dorchester people should decide what is best and what the greatest need is in our community."

Cllr Hewitt takes over the mayoral role from Cllr Gareth Jones.

Her husband, Dave, a former postman will be her consort with grandson Warwick Dabbs, escorting her on some duties.

Mrs Hewitt, who was born in Bournemouth, is widely known in Dorchester and the surrounding area as a swimming and lifesaving instructor, something she has been doing since the age of 15.

She has mainly taught at Weymouth, Bovington, Chantmarle and Dorchester and was among the campaigners who persuaded the former Dorchester Secondary School to open its pool for public use, going on to campaign for the current Dorchester Leisure Centre where she still teaches.

Among her trainees was Lulu Cumming, a local deaf swimmer, who she helped train for three Olympics. Her parents were in the Dorchester Corn Exchange audience to see Cllr Hewitt become mayor.

After three years as a senior aircraftswoman Janet married Dave in St Mary's Dorchester in 1965. They have three daughters, one son, five grandchildren and one great-grandson.

For Cllr Hewitt this will be her first time as mayor having been voted onto the town council in 2015.

She said that during her year she would like to help nurture Dorchester Arts' ambition to increase the use of the Municipal Buildings, not only for arts and performance, but wider community events.

Her charities for the year are Parkinson's, Cancer Research, the Wessex Lifesaving Association and she has also pledged to support families from Ukraine who are now settling in the year.

Cllr Hewitt said after two years of difficulties because of Covid she was looking forward the "the new normal" and aimed to meet many community organisation during her year in office.

"As your new mayor I am asking for people to get involved in our town's recovery; to try to do their bit whether it is volunteering or just buying local, to walk or cycle instead of jumping in the car.

"I am extremely proud to be your mayor. It is a great honour. I will do my very best and look forward to seeing a lot of olds friends and hopefully making a lot of new ones. If I can help your organisation please get in touch with the town council," she said.