Fresh bid to redevelop Dorchester town centre could see shops built on Fairfield car park

The plans, which are unveiled today, have been criticised as attempts to 'turn the county town into a shopping centre'.

The new masterplan involves a large development of shops on Fairfield car park off Weymouth Avenue, and food retail outlets on Charles Street, as well as the growth of car parking areas.

But before any development gets underway, West Dorset District Council’s (WDDC) strategy committee must approve the idea.

Dorchester’s weekly market in Fairfield car park will be relocated if the development goes ahead.

It comes after a long history of failed schemes to reinvigorate the town centre, and is the first new bid since since developer Simons pulled out of the Charles Street plans in 2015 after the scheme was deemed not to be financially viable.

WDDC hired consultancy company Blue Sail to carry out a tourism survey in Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester.

Martin Hamilton, the council's strategic director, said: “The result was that Dorchester is punching below its weight when it comes to tourism. This could be to do with the lack of hotel accommodation.

“It also noted that the high street was not very animated.”

Martin Hamilton and WDDC leader Cllr Anthony Alford announced the new plans. 

They said the idea behind the regeneration is to make sure residents and visitors are provided with everything they need in Dorchester, rather than straying to other parts of the county for shopping trips.

According to Mr Hamilton, ‘a number of household names’ have reportedly showed interest in the new Fairfield development which will feature ‘comparison’ goods stores such as fashion, furniture and appliance shops.

Cllr Alford said the weekly market at Fairfield is ‘very important’ to the council and that they will seek to ensure that its relocation is still within the town centre.

A large part of the development will also be centred around a new comprehensive parking plan, which could see the introduction of multi-storey parking to replace the spaces lost at Fairfield. 

Mr Hamilton said: “We need to make sure that the various needs of residents, visitors, commuters and shoppers are still adequately provided for.”

WDDC carried out what it says is a ‘thorough’ archaeological review of Charles Street following pleas from local heritage groups backed by English Heritage. 

The council reported that following the review, work on Charles Street could go ahead providing it was ‘located sensitively’.

It will be the latest of multiple schemes to develop Charles Street, put forward over the last 40 years.

If approved in the special committee meeting on August 1, councillors will begin discussions with retailers to bring together the masterplan, estimated to take around six months.

Once in motion, the building work is estimated to take place over two years.

Charles Street’s turbulent development history has led to mixed reactions following the announcement by West Dorset District Council.

Town councillor Alistair Chisholm said: “They are pursuing their dream of Dorchester being a sub-regional shopping centre. Trying to turn Dorchester into a sub-regional shopping centre is missing the point.

“If you want to go on and secure the future of Dorchester, you should be showing its story. That is as valued as pursuing the idea of needing shops, and bigger shops.

“They need to be looking at something else for Dorchester.”

He added that there’s ‘little that is new’ about the fresh plans.

“They seem to have learnt very little from the failings of Charles Street. 

“I think a huge amount of the future of Dorchester lies in making a greater deal of its past.” 

But others thought it is positive that the council is taking a ‘long-term view. of the town.

Dorchester BID project director Phil Gordon, said: “I can only but hope that this means they will look at the whole aspect of what that involves, including what has historically been a major issue in the town centre, and that is parking.”

Several town councillors recognised that the public may be sceptical about new plans, given the scheme’s history.

Dorchester town councillor Tim Harries said: “Most residents will be thinking ‘here we go again’ I expect. 

“However, it would be nice to think that we have plan that took into its thoughts the actual state of play in the town at the moment.

“I think, with the new leadership, we have got a far better chance of having a successful conclusion than we’ve have had in the past, so that’s a step in the right direction.”

Mayor of Dorchester Cllr Susie Hosford added: “These proposals have the potential to provide a huge boost to the town centre. 

“Given the long and complex history of previous proposals, residents will understandably be cautious in their approach to the new schemes but we hope that they may deliver really exciting opportunities for our county town.”

And town and district councillor David Taylor said: “It will bring the centre of Dorchester alive and expand it further to make it more vibrant. It will make the shopping experience more exciting and make it a wonderful town to live in.”

THE HISTORY OF THE CHARLES STREET SAGA: 
1973: Plans for a new-look Dorchester town centre first touted, abandoned a year later because it was seen as too ambitious.

Late 1980s: Scheme to build a two-storey shopping mall on Charles Street falls down after property market collapse.

Late 1990s: Developer Helical puts forward plans to redevelop the site. Scheme abandoned in 2000 after failing to secure a flagship store.

2005: District council invites developers to come forward. 15 firms show an interest.

September 2006: Simons selected.

December 2008: Council’s executive committee agree to focus on Charles Street as potential site for new offices.

December 2009 – Simons holds exhibition of plans in Dorchester, with over 800 people giving feedback.

March 2010: Over 200 people attend a public meeting to discuss district council’s relocation. 

April 2010: Dorchester holds first-ever parish poll, with voters asked whether they agreed with council move to Charles Street. 2,200 voters (93 per cent) say ‘no’, 156 say ‘yes’.

April 2010: Simons delivers planning application to district council.

June 2011: Work begins on site. 

October 2012: Despite opposition from residents and some members, council backs plans to spend £2million of public money on preparatory works for the Charles Street phase two scheme, including relocating the Dorchester Community Church. 

December 2012: Council staff begin moving into new offices at South Walks House, with the move completed and offices open to the public by the end of January 2013.

January 2014: Marks and Spencer announced as anchor store.

February 2014: Councillors agree to plug a further £2million into the development. 

July 2014: Phase two of Charles Street development shown to public.

January 2015: Campaigners call for an archaeological investigation on Charles Street backed by English Heritage. 

September 2015: Simons agree that plans are not feasible, stop work on phase two of proposal. Council ends agreement with Simons. Over £300,000 of £2million pledged cannot be recovered.

April 8 2016: Report highlights ‘lack of transparency’ over handling of development by council. 

September 13, 2016: Councillors agree to further studies being carried out as they investigate possibility of developing Charles Street site at the fourth time of asking.

July 24, 2017: Council leader announces master plan for future of Dorchester, including new development at Charles Street, building on Fairfield car park and growth of car parking space.