CIVIC chiefs today called on the historic former Eldridge Pope site in Dorchester to be developed sympathetically.

Dorchester Civic Society is urging people to have their say on early plans for the 11-acre site off Weymouth Avenue which could feature a large public square, a World Heritage centre, a pub, a hotel, a restaurant and housing.

The society wants owners Landworth Properties to take the site's history into account when building in the area.

Derek Beauchamp, civic society chairman, said: "The brewery site is the largest and most important brown field site in Dorchester being some three times the size of the Charles Street site and containing several notable listed buildings.

"It is of such importance that its development could enhance or blight Dorchester for a century or more."

The society urges people in its latest newsletter to have their say on the development.

Outgoing chairman Dr Margaret Rehahn said: "It's still early days but from the plans we've seen so far, we'd like to have a mixed development on the site.

"The main listed buildings are good examples of Victorian architecture.

"We hope the site is developed sympathetically because it is vital Dorchester retains its heritage and character.

"It is so important that people keep a very close eye on the plans and comment accordingly."

Landworth Properties placed the property on the market after it bought it as part of its £8.9 million takeover of Eldridge Pope's Weymouth Avenue estate last December.

The future of the site was thrown into confusion when Thomas Hardy Brewery suddenly shut down in July with the loss of 57 jobs.

Following the closure, the district council's planning chief David Evans said: "This site is a key gateway so the council made clear its position regarding any future development in an interim policy statement.

"Retaining employment was a key principle of this statement."