Dorchester could become a “beacon of culture and heritage” but West Dorset District Council’s plans to redevelop the town centre lack inspiration and fail to address long-term needs, according to the Dorchester Labour Party.

As reported, the new masterplan, which was unveiled for the first time in July, 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.

Dorchester’s historic weekly market will be also be relocated as part of the development.

“These plans completely ignore Dorchester’s heritage and their aim is to turn the town into one big shopping centre,” said Claudia Sorin of Dorchester Labour Party.

“A long-term plan would offer support to local independent businesses, seek funding to develop the rich heritage of the town and build homes that local people can afford.”

“Dorchester Labour have collected more than 1,000 signatures on a petition calling for WDDC to ensure that all new developments include at least 35 per cent affordable homes; we believe that councillors must make a commitment to include housing in the redevelopment plans.”

Barry Thompson, also of Dorchester Labour, added: “I recently counted more than 30 empty retail units in the town centre and nine at Brewery Square. The council should be looking to support businesses in South Street and the High Street rather than bring in big retailers. Building homes in the town for local workers would also reduce the amount of traffic. Traffic congestion and air pollution has become a serious problem in Dorchester; there’s nothing in these plans about it.”

Mary Calvert who lives in Dorchester said the market was a major draw of footfall into the town and should not be discarded lightly.

“Whilst use of the market may have declined recently, this is partly due to the recent road works, traffic congestion and bad weather on Wednesdays,” she said.

“What are the alternative sites and what would be the highways implications of these?

“Modern shopping centres are common, whilst Dorchester market is an historic attraction and an important local outlet for small businesses and a local provider for Dorchester residents. No development should even be considered without a decision on a viable long-term alternative site for the market.”

A public engagement event on the plans is being held at South Walks House on Tuesday, September 26 with sessions at 5.30pm and 7pm.

Cllr John Russell, West Dorset District Council’s portfolio holder for environmental protection and assets, said the proposals are at and early stage and “nothing is set in stone”.

He said: “Proposals to redevelop Dorchester Town Centre are at an early stage, nothing is set in stone. We are hosting a public engagement event for the community next week on Tuesday September 26 at South Walks House, where you can hear more about where we are first hand. There will be two identical presentations, once at 5:30pm and again at 7pm.

“The flourishing cultural offer is something that we are excited about and makes it a cornerstone of our proposals. Although housing was suggested as part of previous development proposals for the Charles Street site, the most recent studies do not recommend housing development on the site.

"The latest archaeological advice suggest that the amount of development on the site should be more limited, so that it will not be possible to achieve such a mix of development. Other Dorchester sites are being prioritised for housing.”