REGARDING your article on the future of Dorchester Prison: I applaud the vision set out by civic society chairman Alan Rowley; especially the need for a mix of affordable housing and high-quality residential housing.

Unfortunately, having seen the result of the development of Charles Street, where affordable housing was wiped out by being declared ‘not viable’ and also seeing no affordable housing, so far, on the ‘Stratton House’ site, I must declare that I am not optimistic. The local population needs more affordable housing and there should be 30 per cent on all sites! Let’s hope that when West Dorset District Council makes a decision they do the right thing, and designate 30 per cent on the Dorchester Prison site and not ‘fob’ us off by saying it is not financially viable!

Barry Thompson

Salisbury Mews

Dorchester