Letter: Why haven't health and safety risks of this development been highlighted?

Only last month, I stressed the need for our councillors to use their powers to ensure that promises made by developers are fulfilled and that building standards are maintained.

And also the need for them to lobby for additional powers so that developments reflect the needs of the town.

I understand from your report that the town councillors appear to have found no planning grounds to ensure the pedestrian access they desire and that developers City and Country are pressing ahead to block any access.

Despite the obvious access problems that I identified in 2015 and numerous objections to the Planning Committee, City and Country gained approval for a high density private development without any social housing due to the threat of excessive legal costs.

The only concession was plans for the widening of The Bow (the road between St Peter's and the Corn Exchange).

What I cannot understand is why the obvious health and safety risks of this development with only one narrow access have not been highlighted and followed up.

Surely adequate access for fire, police and ambulance in the case of a major emergency must be considered; I can only ask the question if not, why not?

Whilst I personally consider footpath access inadequate it would at least provide another way into the site in the case of an emergency.

One consolation is that with no social housing, at least potential private purchasers will have the opportunity to consider the risks involved prior to choosing to live in this development.

Unfortunately social housing tenants such as those enduring nearly three years of the problems of Bridge House have little choice.

I therefore call on our councillors to pursue every avenue to prevent City and Country, and ask City and Country to think beyond their bottom lines to the needs of Dorchester and the needs of their customers.

MARY CALVERT

Maumbury Square

Dorchester