CONCERNS over the future cost of housing in Dorchester will be raised at a public meeting tonight.

The Dorchester Labour Party is becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of affordable housing in the town and says it is particularly concerned about reports from the latest public consultation on the Dorchester prison site, suggesting there will be no social housing.

Chairman Barry Thompson said: "Former public land owned by the tax payers has been sold with no lasting benefit to Dorchester's citizens.

"We are concerned that based on information provided thus far to the public, the prison site will have no social and affordable housing on the site. "Labour fears that Dorchester could be cleansed of lower income earners and undergo a gentrification of the county town."

The Dorchester Labour Party has organised an open public meeting at the Corn Exchange tonight that will discuss the future of affordable housing in west Dorset.

The meeting has been arranged to provide an open forum for discussion on what can be done about an acute local crisis arising from a chronic shortage of affordable housing nationally.

Organisations invited to take part in the public meeting include Shelter, Magna Housing Association, prison site developers City and Country and the councillor for housing at West Dorset District Council.

Members of the public with views or questions on the future of housing are encouraged to attend the event.

Doors open at 7pm, with proceedings getting underway at 7.30pm with each of the speakers addressing the audience for five minutes before the floor is given over to members of the public.

In response to the concerns raised over the prison site, a spokesman for City and Country said: "We are committed to providing a scheme that is both feasible and deliverable and in our latest proposals we have worked hard to carefully balance the needs of the setting of the historic buildings with the all-important reality of financial viability.

"We have taken the time to explain to the local community the substantial cost involved in preserving and renovating historic buildings, seeking views on an alternative masterplan that would enable the provision of some social housing.

"At each stage of public consultation we have received feedback from the local community that overwhelmingly points to retaining the historic asset and ensuring the development is in keeping with its surroundings."