Charles Street was not part of the plan (From Dorset Echo)

Charles Street was not part of the plan

11:07am Friday 19th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

On the vexed question of Charles Street, I feel there is one matter on which we can all agree – everyone wants to see that part of Dorchester treated sensitively and developed properly.

That is why a widespread consultation was carried out prior to the local plan being adopted – so far, so good. However, a major change has occurred since that procedure was completed.

West Dorset District Council has decided to construct new offices on the Charles Street site. Whether or not you agree that new offices are needed, can be afforded, or are in the right place and whether you feel the tendering procedure was fair or otherwise, one fact is irrefutable – this proposal is contrary to the adopted local plan.

This means the ‘public consultation’ on the plan has been totally disregarded, we the citizens treated as fools, and the whole amended concept is probably illegal.

Call me old-fashioned but I think that agreeing a way forward with the public and then fundamentally changing that way forward and claiming that the public has agreed, is at best disingenuous and at worst downright dishonest. In short, their new offices are not in the plan.

Councillor Tim Harries, Dorchester