Crowds gather for STAND protest opposing 4,000 new homes north of Dorchester

More than 100 people joined the protest outside County Hall in Dorchester with placards, banners and flags to express their opposition to the proposed development.

READ MORE: 'STAND petition against Dorchester homes needs debating'

The Dorchester North extension has been put forward as a 'preferred option' for housing in Dorset Council's Local Plan.

Jane Ashdown, chair of STAND

Prior to the protest, organised by members of STAND (Save the Area North of Dorchester), a petition against the development received more than 5,000 signatures, which will be debated by Dorset councillors in April next year.

Crowds listen on as speakers from the STAND group give their views

However, chairman of STAND Jane Ashdown said the council's debate should be moved forward and taken 'more seriously' because of the size of the proposed development and the impact it could have on the environment.

READ MORE: Six-month delay to Dorset's Local Plan

She said: "The development is the equivalent of two Poundburys which could have a huge environmental impact. We estimate each of the 4,000 new homes will have at least one car, which will add congestion and pollution to the area.

Crowds listen on as speakers from the STAND group give their views

"We've collected the signatures of more than 5,000 people in opposition. The council's debate on the matter should be done sooner and we want it to be taken more seriously."

STAND member Linda Poulsen said: "The land is prime agriculture land and has huge archaeological potential, which needs to be excavated not built on."

Crowds listen on as speakers from the STAND group give their views

Protest organiser Alistair Chisholm said: "The surrounding area has the more prehistoric significance than Stonehenge - so there is a need to excavate."

Alistair Chisholm, STAND member

In response, Dorset Council chairman Val Pothecary said: "A petition has been received from the STAND group, requesting the council rejects the inclusion in the Local Plan of the site north of Dorchester as a preferred option for major building development.

"This petition has also been submitted as a duly made representation to the local plan consultation and is being considered alongside all the other responses received during the consultation period.

"We cannot debate this petition as it relates to a planning decision, and we could be seen to be pre-determining the outcomes of the Local Plan consultation and development process.

"Openly debating the petition at this early stage, especially in isolation from all the other feedback we received, could potentially leave the Plan vulnerable to legal challenge in the future.

"In April next year, Full Council will make the decision about the content of the plan for the next stage, the publication plan."

Jane Ashdown, chair of STAND

The plan will be published in May 2022, with the opportunity for people to make comments.

STAND banner outside County Hall in Dorchester