Members of the community got to have their say on the future of Poundbury's greenspace.

A workshop event was held last Monday to give residents and members of the public a chance to voice their opinions on proposals for The Great Field in Poundbury.

The proposals were brought forward by the Duchy of Cornwall to provide new outdoor facilities, wildlife and pastoral space for the residents of Poundbury and Dorchester.

Ben Murphy of The Duchy of Cornwall said he was pleased with the turn out with more than 350 members of the community attending and overall feedback had been positive.

“It has been very useful to listen to the public’s views on what kind of space we can provide for play, entertainment and healthy living, for boosting people’s quality of life and for enhancing and protecting wildlife and the natural environment," he said.

Mr Murphy added the Duchy had started collating feedback to create a draft masterplan which will be unveiled at a public exhibition on December 11.

"The wider community will have further chance to comment and let us know if we’ve got it right, before plans are finalised and submitted to West Dorset District Council,” he said.

Proposals included walking, running and cycling routes, a children’s play area, sports equipment, flower meadows, a grass amphitheatre, a poppy field to mark the centenary and facilities for young people such as a skate park or BMX track.

Julie Mills, who lives next to the Great Field: "I think it's a good opportunity for people to be listened to. It seems they've taken a lot of things into account."

Mrs Mills said while there were facilities for small children in Dorchester she would like to see 'something a bit bigger for the bigger ones'.

Her son Luke, aged 11 said he liked the idea of more facilities for young people but added: "We don't want to ruin the natural elements of the park as we don't want our world to be artificial."

However, Poundbury resident, Valerie Cameron said although she did think the space needed landscaping she had concerns about the proposals.

"At the moment a lot of it is given over to the children and not remembering there are a lot of elderly people in Poundbury," she said.

Her husband Iain Cameron said Dorchester already had a play area and a skate park and questioned why the area would need another one.

"What disturbs me is the suggestion for more things to be built," he said.

Resident Gavin Skinner agreed, suggesting a running track or path around the edge of the field which could allow older people to access the park all the time.

William Gibbons, chairman of the Poundbury Residents Association said he thought there was plenty of space to accommodate both older and younger generations.

He added the facilities on the field would be a great asset to the community and something to show people moving to the area.