Dorset Council will have to restart the process to bring in a special order to further protect Dorchester’s conservation areas.

Councillors are being told that the authority failed to confirm the previous order within the required six month timescale and, as a result, it expired in August and the process now has to start again.

A report to this week’s northern area planning committee says: “Following the consultation, the direction must be confirmed within six months. However, due to issues relating to local government reorganisation this did not occur, and the Article 4 Direction lapsed on 21st August 2019.”

The report also says that at least one wall in the town has been removed using what are known as permitted rights since then because the rules were not in place and the council was powerless to stop it.

A report before a planning committee on Tuesday November 19th says that a number of concerns were raised by the public during the consultation process and, as a result, changes will be made in the new order will reflect some of those issues.

The immediate article 4 direction was originally made in February 2019 to primarily stop people in the town’s conservation areas from making changes to walls and fences, often to create off-road parking, which it was claimed was ruining the traditional character of many roads.

A report to this week’s planning committee says the immediate order will now be started again with a change which will allow those living in conservation orders in the town to alter walls, gates, fences and other structures in gardens which are not publicly visible – primarily back gardens.

The delay will mean another consultation period after which a further decision will need to be taken whether or not to confirm the order.

The decision to start again will cost an additional £1,400 to notify affected property owners and publicise the new order.

Committee members are being asked to approve the order to take immediate effect to stop further demolitions and changes: “In the time since the last one expired, at least one wall has been removed through the returned permitted development rights. Without an Article 4 Direction, this could continue and the negative impact on the character of the conservation area could be substantial. In order to prevent loss of further features which contribute to the character of the Dorchester Conservation Area, it is proposed that the Article 4 Direction takes immediate effect,” said a report to committee.