THE firm behind proposals to redevelop Dorchester Prison has indicated human remains found on site may have to be exhumed and reburied.

Developer City and Country wishes to build homes and a museum on the site of the former prison.

Burial grounds have been located within the prison. An evaluation carried out by City and Country has revealed inmates were buried both within the consecrated grounds as well as outside of this area.

Richard Winsborough, associate director (planning) at City and Country, said: “Our preference is to leave any remains undisturbed, but of course there are likely to be some which may be disturbed by the proposed development, these will be recorded and removed prior to disturbance, with the intention to rebury the remains.

“Human remains should always be treated with dignity and respect and their removal will be carried out in accordance with the approaches specified in the Guidance for Best Practice for Treatment of Human Remains Excavated from Christian Burial Grounds in England (Church of England and English Heritage 2005) and other guidance, as appropriate.”

In a supporting statement attached to the planning application, Cotswold Archaeology said the 18th and 19th Century remains were of some archaeological significance.

It said the remains could shed light onto human demography, health, diet and disease in the past.

It is believed the human remains belong to those who were executed.

It has been suggested the site could possess the remains of Martha Brown, who was the last woman to be executed in Dorset.

Earlier this year the Echo revealed calls were being made to relocate human remains uncovered at the site.

Nick Gilbey, who has worked on a television programme on Martha Brown, wrote a letter to West Dorset District Council, saying there were many who would like to see her remains removed to a more suitable site. He also indicated the remains of several other people were buried in the same area.

Speaking to the Echo, he said: "I welcome that the developers acknowledge the public concern over what will happen to the remains which will be exhumed from the area  where new apartments will be built.

"I also welcome that the developers now acknowledge that the Dorchester Prison Cemetery is consecrated ground and that permission to move the remains from the burial ground, and the plan to re-inter them, will have to be sought from the Church of England Salisbury Diocese.

"My concern, and that of others, is what will happen to the remains which will land up under the car parking area and refuse bin storage area, that are shown on the developers plans, will be situated on the burial ground?

"I would like the developers, City and Country, to commit themselves to exhuming all the human remains buried within the prison grounds before building work commences."

West Dorset District Council is currently considering City and Country’s planning application.