Major concerns have been raised over the planned redevelopment of Dorchester with fears it will be a ‘death sentence’ for the town.

The worry over the town’s future has come from councillors, town groups and residents.

They are concerned about the effect on the existing town centre, and believe that more should be made of the county town’s history.

In the latest move in redevelopment plans, West Dorset District Council says further archaeological exploration is to take place in Fairfield long stay car park around mid-late November.

As reported, a vision for the future of Dorchester will see shops and restaurants on Fairfield car park – meaning the historical market will have to be relocated – with Charles Street having one main food shop with car parking.

Dorchester town crier and town councillor Alistair Chisholm said: “I have always believed this town is exceptional and it’s its history that makes it unique. 

“What really irritates my about the current plans is that archaeology is seen almost as an inconvenience. We need to make something of what time has given us. Dorchester has such incredible stories to tell.

“The towns that are succeeding are those that are making more of their independent shops, but that doesn’t seem to be something that West Dorset District Council thinks of. 

“They seem to think that as soon as Marks & Spencer move away the town is doomed, but it’s not just about the big retailers. You have got to have more than just shops.

“This development will make us like all other areas and we deserve to be special and unique.”

Dorset Echo:

Cllr David Taylor and concerned resident Louise Hole

Town and district councillor, David Taylor said there are “huge concerns” in Dorchester about what its future holds.

He said: “Plans seem to be steaming ahead without them being given a second thought or people, like councillors, being asked for their input or opinion.

“There are currently 31 retails units in Dorchester that are empty. If anything should be done in the town it should be focusing on the independent retailers.

“They want to build on the historical market car park. This will move the centre of Dorchester from South Street to Fairfield car park. This will also lead to a huge loss of car parking spaces.

“What is going to happen to the current town centre? What is going to happen to the independent retailers? 

“We have a plethora of history in Dorchester which we should be highlighting, not building over and ruining it.

“The new development is a death sentence for the town.”

The Dorchester Labour Party said that more should be done to support businesses in South Street and the High East and West Streets rather than focusing on bringing in big retailers.

Barry Thompson from the group said the plans “totally ignore Dorchester’s heritage” and plan to make the town just like any other.

The council's strategic director, Martin Hamilton, said: "A key objective of the Dorchester town centre masterplan is enhancing the vitality of Dorchester town centre as a whole.

"Maintaining the vibrancy of our existing stores in the town is of paramount importance and the masterplan will detail ideas to directly support this.

"Historical buildings on South Street are incompatible with modern retailing operations, making it difficult for some of our high street brands to meet their customers’ expectations in an experiential way.

"We believe that we risk losing some key businesses unless we have them trade from larger more modern sites which accommodate modern services such as click and collect.

"The council intend to hold regular engagement events in order to update on progress and secure public input. We will also be consulting on specific strands of work as appropriate.

"Further archaeological trenching work on Fairfield will take place during November. As part of our development of the cultural and heritage offer for the town we will be looking at appropriate ways to exhibit any archaeological findings."