PLANS for a community hall at Poundbury are set to go before councillors.

The hall, which would accommodate more than 300 people, is being proposed for the North East Quadrant of the development.

The Duchy of Cornwall is currently required to provide the facility under a planning obligation when 600 homes are occupied in the latest phases of Poundbury.

A report set to go before West Dorset District Council's planning committee tomorrow concedes that the obligation may be reconsidered, but the Duchy is still seeking planning permission for the venue as a 'fallback' position.

The plans also include a commercial unit, 20 apartments and associated parking.

The proposals, which were backed by Dorchester Town Council, for Crown Square were included in the original outline permission for the North East Quadrant, the latest phase of Prince Charles’ model development that will include 505 homes and more than 6,000 metres of commercial space.

The latest application seeks to establish the size and location of the hall.

The report to be considered by councillors states: "The representations attracted by this application suggest an emerging view from residents of Poundbury that this particular obligation needs revisiting and should perhaps be commuted to a financial contribution to support the Maltings Arts project at Brewery Square.

"The Duchy of Cornwall is also inclined towards a review, but, in the meantime, needs to establish a fallback should it eventually find itself in a position where it needs to satisfy the original obligation.

"And this is urgent; the lack of a fallback is delaying other permissions and threatens the essential continuity of development that underpins Poundbury’s critical contribution to the Partnership’s five-year housing land supply."

The committee is being advised to support the application subject to a number of conditions including materials used, access and hours of use.