AMBITIOUS plans to develop a major Dorchester town centre site will come under public scrutiny.

People are being given the chance to talk to developers behind a scheme to breathe fresh life into the former Eldridge Pope brewery off Weymouth Avenue.

Developers Brewery Square will outline plans shortly for a hotel, arts and conference centre, shops, and up to 600 new homes for the brewery site.

The meeting on Wednesday, starting at 6.30pm, is being held in the council chamber at West Dorset District Council in High West Street, Dorchester.

People will have the chance to question Brewery Square representatives about their plans for the Weymouth Avenue site.

The district council will also detail national and local planning guidelines, which will guide councillors when they decide whether to approve the 12 planning applications for the site next month.

Council leader Robert Gould said: "This is a very important site for Dorchester and we want to make sure it is redeveloped for the greater good of the town and the surrounding area.

"That includes giving local people the opportunity to find out all the facts involved and how planning proposals for this, or any other, development are dealt with by the council."

The Dorset Echo revealed earlier this year how the planned development would include an arts and conference centre, cafs, shops, restaurants, and an ice rink and fountain.

The site's top class 85-bedroom hotel, based in the current brewhouse building, has been designed by a firm run by international top designer Terence Conran.

Also planned for the development is a new medical centre, along with accommodation for trainee nurses.

Dorchester South railway station is also lined up for an overhaul and is set to become the first solar-powered station in the country.

The whole development could be complete in five years.

Councillors will decide the applications at a special meeting of the development control east committee on December 9.