FURTHER concerns have been raised about the archaeological impact of Dorchester’s Charles Street development.

English Heritage has claimed that the second phase of the town centre scheme risks causing ‘substantial harm to the historic environment’ of the town.

The organisation has previously raised concerns about plans from develops Simons to scale back the archaeological investigations, prompting local campaigners to set up the Defend Our Rich Cultural Heritage Group (DORCH), which has attracted more than 3,800 signatures.

English Heritage has now set out its position in the belief that the latest proposals for the second phase of the development would be considered by West Dorset District Council’s development control committee in April.

However, a spokesman for the council confirmed there are currently no plans to consider the application in April.

In the latest English Heritage statement it said that it had two areas of concern – the impact upon ‘nationally significant’ archaeology of the development and the impact of the above-ground element on the scheme on the Dorchester Conservation Area.

The statement claims that the archaeology beneath the car park site is of the equivalent significance to a scheduled monument and the removal of archaeological remains would cause substantial harm.

It adds: “The proposed reduced archaeological mitigation strategy is seriously and unacceptably disproportionate to the importance of the remains here and the major impact on them.”

English Heritage also state: “In principle English Heritage supports the proposed redevelopment of this site, and I therefore regret that we are obliged to object to the proposals in their current form on the basis of substantial harm to the historic environment.

“However, our concerns may be lessened if the application were amended to include an archaeological mitigation strategy proportionate to the significance of the assets and modifications were made to the form and massing of the proposed block facing the council offices.”

Dorchester town and district councillor Andy Canning has backed English Heritage’s calls to show the utmost respect for the archaeological significance of the site.

He said: “I think it’s absolutely vital that one any development takes full account of the heritage value on that site.

“Heritage is important to tourism and the life of Dorchester and we must protect what we have developed over thousands of years.

“It’s not acceptable for this area to be ripped out just for the sake of a few shops.”

Director of environment at West Dorset District Council David Evans said: “No decisions have been made yet about the planning application but it will be considered in the same way as any other with due diligence to the proper process, taking material planning considerations into account alongside consultation comments.

“The letter from English Heritage is very detailed with a number of points which we will find valuable in our processing of the application.”

The Echo has contacted Simons for a comment.