Redevelopment of derelict Dorchester building deemed 'jarring' as plans rejected

The dilapidated property, which has most of the roof missing, was once the Dorset Echo’s Dorchester office.

An application to demolish what is left of the building and put up a new family home on the site was made by the owners of the adjoining Finca coffee shop on the Great Western Road side.

Dorchester Civic Society had objected to the application for the new two-bedroom building saying that it would not fit in with the surroundings: “The frontage is inappropriate to impose on Bowling Alley Walk and represents an alien form of development, out of character with its neighbours.

The proposal for the site, courtesy N A Williams Building Consultancy

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"The design and form of development is jarring and would detract from the ambience and enjoyment of the Walks and Conservation Area generally by reason of its lack of respect for its visual context, including its flat roof and use of open balconies,” said the Society.

The view was supported by the Dorset Council conservation officer.

Historic England raised concerns about the effect the development might have on the remains of the Roman walls, within a few yards of the site, saying any development had “the potential to impact on archaeological remains of high significance,” recommending an archaeological assessment be carried out if the application was to be further considered.

photo corresponds with the view from the drawing Picture: Trevor Bevins

The Bowling Alley Walk to the rear of the site marks the line of the former defensive walls of Durnovaria, once an important Roman stronghold.

Senior archaeologist at Dorset Council Steve Wallis said in his comments that the site is of potential significance but says that due to the continuing dereliction of the building any examination could not be carried out safely until the site is cleared.

Agent, Neil Williams, pointed out in a letter to Dorset Council that there had been no formal objection to the proposal from any of the statutory consultees nor from any of the neighbouring properties.

He said that from 1975 to 2013 there has been 11 applications approved to remove and replace Victorian and Edwardian buildings in the area with modern structures which can be seen from Bowling Alley Walk : “None of these structures are coherent to a traditional Victorian townscape, which is a point of comment within the Conservation Officer's appraisal,” he said.

The derelict building from Bowling Alley Walk. Picture: Trevor Bevins

“There has for well over thirty years been a derelict structure on the proposal site which has to a large degree been a visual "eyesore" to this location. The proposed replacement dwelling will bring public benefit due to the requirement for local tradesmen and builder's merchants to be engaged on this project during the construction phase. Additionally, a property reflective of current architectural design will carry on the thread of evolution that has been ongoing within Bowling Alley Walk since 1975.”

In rejecting the application a Dorset Council planning officer said: “whilst removing the existing building is welcomed, this benefit is not considered to outweigh the harm the proposal will have upon the identified heritage.”