I ATTENDED the executive committee of West Dorset District Council and, as reported in the Echo, it was announced that more than £520,000 was being spent on a feasibility study on Dorchester’s Charles Street redevelopment and now expanded to include Trinity Street and Fairfield car park.

This has been going on for 30 years and still no progress, except the titanic council offices and library.

My own personal view is to finish the archaeological survey and, as Alistair Chisholm has stated, maybe have a tourist centre showing off Dorchester’s Roman history.

Relocate Waitrose or another similar store, but we do not need more retail units.

Look around the town.

You do not need £520,000 to see there are still empty units at Brewery Square, the Hardye Arcade and Tudor Arcade. Also Antelope Walk and South Street have empty units and properties.

One thing is also missing from the council report - no mention of housing or flats.

This on a day that in the WDDC performance report it was stated that the council would not meet its target of 100 affordable homes for 2016/17 - it is projected to complete 80 only.

Before WDDC is scrapped and a new authority is established, wouldn’t it be nice if WDDC left a legacy of some affordable housing for its younger and also mature residents?

BARRY THOMPSON

Dorchester and District Labour Party

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