CONCERNS have been raised about the proposed new school at Poundbury as councillors prepare to decide on a planning application.

Dorset County Council is proposing a new 600-place school at the development to replace the existing Damers School.

As part of the application, which has been out to public consultation, there is also a proposal to use the school hall for other uses including the base of Dorchester Community Church.

The deadline for comments on the planning application has now passed and a number of concerns were registered with the planning application online from local residents.

The main concerns centre around the potential impact on traffic in the area and the importance of opening up the use of the hall to the whole community.

These comments were reflected by the response from Dorchester Town Council in its role as a consultee on the application.

The comment submitted by the council’s planning and environment committee stated that it ‘appreciated the impact the additional traffic created by the school could have on the amenity of local residents’.

The committee also said it was ‘particularly concerned’ that the hall on the site should be ‘fully available for community use’ as detailed in the development brief for Poundbury that dates back to 2006.

Councillors called for a condition to be attached to any planning approval ensuring full community access to the hall.

The comment submitted by the council states: “The committee recommended that a planning condition be added to any approval, through a section 106 agreement, that no unreasonable restrictions shall be placed on hirers of the community hall space and that arrangements shall be put in place to ensure that there is sufficient availability of the community hall space for adequate and open community use.”

The proposed school has received the full backing of the Duchy of Cornwall.

A comment submitted by estate director for Dorchester Simon Conibear states: “The scheme to provide a new four form entry first school at Poundbury, together with a church and community facility, has been discussed over the last 12 months with the Duchy of Cornwall.

“We believe that the location is appropriate for these facilities and will provide enhanced amenities for people living in Dorchester, including Poundbury.”