A LEADING Dorchester retailer has warned the county town could be ‘plunged into chaos’ if key questions surrounding the proposed Charles Street development are not addressed.

In an open letter sent to all local councillors, Roger Gould - deputy chairman and director of Goulds – says that the store has always supported retail led development on the town centre site to further enhance the shopping facilities in Dorchester.

However he says that the latest plans show some ‘serious inherent deficiencies’.

Mr Gould claims that the scheme lacks strong links with the existing town centre, something that was previously a crucial part of the planners’ brief.

He said: “This would seriously disadvantage existing retail units, including many small independent traders.”

Mr Gould’s other concerns centre around insufficient parking provided on the site and the location of the entrances and exits of the proposed new car park.

He said: “When we recently visited the exhibition in South Street, the plan for access to and from the car-parks was met with incredulity and described by one member of the public as ‘bonkers’ and he is right.

“Our other major concern is the lack of any credible plan for alternative parking whilst the archaeological dig and the development itself takes place.”

Mr Gould concludes: “The district and county planners need to make sure these concerns are addressed before it’s too late and Dorchester is plunged into chaos.”

The Dorset Echo has contacted Simons and is awaiting a response to Mr Gould’s letter.