MORE than a hundred protesters took to the streets of Dorchester to oppose controversial plans to build thousands of new homes north of the town.

Campaign group STAND (Save The Area North of Dorchester) organised the march through the town centre today (April 2) with placards, banners and flags to express opposition to the proposed development to build around 4,000 houses on the historic land.

See our full report in Monday's (April 4) edition of the Dorset Echo, along with a gallery of online images from the protest

Spearheading the campaign, STAND member Linda Poulsen said the march, which started at the Maumbury Rings, was about highlighting the threat to the town’s cultural legacy.

Dorset Echo: STAND member Linda Poulsen. Picture: Sam McKeownSTAND member Linda Poulsen. Picture: Sam McKeown

She said: "It's a group that wants to highlight the need for houses in the right place in the right place."

The STAND group has said that the land, on which developers plan to build the homes on, is an area that inspired much of the work by writer and poet Thomas Hardy.

Ms Poulsen added: "We're fighting such overwhelming odds, but we want to overhaul this development system that is currently in place."

A Dorset Council spokesman said: "We're taking into account all the comments submitted into last year’s Draft Dorset Council Local Plan consultation including the petition from STAND."

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

Dorset Echo: Protestors at the start of the march just after 10am this morning at the Maumbury Rings. Picture: Sam McKeownProtestors at the start of the march just after 10am this morning at the Maumbury Rings. Picture: Sam McKeown