An option for the controversial development north of Dorchester to be a garden community is being explored.

Dorset Council is using garden community capacity funding from government to work with consultants HYAS and look at the options for the development of around 4,000 homes.

A garden community is:

• A purpose-built new settlement, or large extension to an existing town

• A community with a clear identity and attractive environment

• It provides a mix of homes, including affordable and self-build

• Planned by local authorities or private sector in consultation with the local community

As well as building new homes, the community develops:

• Job opportunities

• Attractive green space and public realm areas

• Transport infrastructure, schools, community and health centres

• A plan for long-term stewardship of community assets

The development has been met with opposition in the town with thousands of people signing a petition against it due to concerns of being built on a flood plain and over-development, and Dorchester Town Council saying it could destabilise the town's future.

HYAS has been involved with other garden community projects and will investigate the opportunities for the development, consider constraints, strengths and weaknesses of the site and carry out a consultation locally in developing a masterplan that will sit alongside the Dorset Council Local Plan.

The final draft of the local plan - which received a number of comments regarding this development - will be published in May 2022 for another round of consultation before it is voted on by the full council and submitted to the planning inspectorate in autumn 2022. The planning inspectorate will then carry out a public examination in 2023. If sound, the masterplan for the north of Dorchester will form the basis for the development of the site.

Councillor David Walsh, Dorset Council portfolio holder for planning, said: "No decisions have been made about any of the proposed developments contained within the Dorset Council Local Plan. It is a long process. We gather together lots of evidence, including viability studies and residents' comments to inform our proposals.

"HYAS are [sic] providing us with the skills and resources to investigate the possibilities for this site. Any decisions about this and all the other proposals in the Dorset Council Local Plan goes out to the next residents' consultation."

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