POUNDBURY’S ‘super park’ is to go ahead – despite a campaign by some neighbours to stop it.

Ward councillor and Dorchester mayor Richard Biggs admits the plans for the Great Field park have divided local opinion - but said that once in place he believes people will be happy with it.

Dorset Council has approved the Duchy of Cornwall application after fears that delays might mean it not being built in time for this summer.

Letter writers put pen to paper to persuade Dorset Council not to approve the application shortly after the application was put out for comment  – met by even more who wrote in to say they would welcome the new park.

More than 20 formally objected with almost 300 in favour.

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Said one Dukes Parade resident: “The equipment and its position will be a magnet for those who become disruptive, leading to abuse of the equipment, abuse of more vulnerable young adults through easy access to trafficking and using drugs.”

Others simply complained on the extra noise they were likely to experience.

But supporter, Reeve Street resident Mike Walker said in a letter to the Dorset Echo: “Examining the scores of responses to this proposal appears to show that some residents of the one street that roughly overlooks the area of the Great Field where the play area is to be sited have made a serious miscalculation.

"Their clear, seemingly coordinated, policy of getting in early with a slew of articulate objections (as I count it, from no fewer than 9 of the possible 17 addresses) has prompted a tsunami of support for the application.

"That support comes from all over Dorchester, not just from within the Poundbury ward, emphasising that Poundbury is only one part of Dorset’s county town, not some exclusive enclave on its outskirts.”

He points out that many of the parents who take their children to use the park are likely to live in small properties with only small, or no, gardens.

In approving the plans Dorset Council dismissed fears that the new park would significantly add to noise and disruptive behaviour in the area: “The proposal would deliver a purpose-built play facility in the Great Field which was agreed in principle in previous permissions. It would have acceptable design and appearance and would not be detrimental to amenity,” said the council’s conclusion.

The Duchy first submitted a detailed application for the site at the end of October but had to wait until mid-January when Dorset Council invalidated it. There was then a further delay while the Duchy responded to the council’s actions.

The application, (WD/D/20/002706),  can be viewed on the Dorset Council planning site, details a range of timber-framed equipment behind the new Pavilion together with details of extensive hard and soft landscaping for the area.

Once completed the maintenance of the area will be taken over by Dorchester town council, which already looks after other play areas on the Duchy estate. These include a basketball court with football goals, a play area for children, with a zip line, and outside gym equipment, opposite the new site.

Planning for the play area dates back to November 2017 when a public consultation exercise was held with nearly 400 responses from residents, businesses, community groups and local schools, the majority at the time welcoming the proposals.

The new play area will include a Queen swing, climbing wall, lounging logs, horizontal bars, climbing structures, large play structures reflecting local buildings such as the Buttercross, “The Whistling Witch” and Brownsword Hall, rotating discs, three jumping discs, nest swing, toddlers twin swing, a play structure based on the Brownsword Hall, a totter beam, straight balancing beam, play horse cart, trailer and water play for younger children.

Seating for children and supervising parents/guardians will be provided around the facility.