DORSET'S economy will receive a £100 million boost under plans to revitalise a major Dorchester town centre site.

Developers claim the regeneration of the former Eldridge Pope brewery site will pump £20 million a year into the county's economy over a five-year period.

And they say the scheme to build a new top class hotel, shops and arts and conference centre will create at least 500 new jobs.

Brewery Square developer Andrew Wadsworth told a public meeting last night that local firms would construct the 11.5-acre development off Weymouth Avenue.

West Dorset District Council will decide whether to grant planning permission for the project next month.

Mr Wadsworth said: "Our round figure estimate is that the Brewery Square project will bring £100 million into the town and area over five years.

"That figure covers the building and renovation costs of the entire site and also things such as the creation of new roads, sewage works and other services.

"Should we receive approval for the project, we believe the entire site can be completed in between five and seven years.

"Clearly it makes sense to use local firms and contractors to carry out the work that is needed, so that £100 million would be going back into the local economy.

"There are also the new jobs that would be created and once the scheme is finished, there's also regular income from the new facilities like the hotel, shops and arts centre."

Around 50 people attended last night's presentation about the planned development, held in Dorchester's Corn Exchange.

They heard how the scheme would include an 85-bedroom hotel, restaurants and a new civic square.

Dorchester South railway station would be revamped, while the Maltings would be donated on a 125 year lease for use as a 440-seat theatre and arts centre.

West Dorset District Council officers were on hand to discuss planning guidelines ahead of the December 9 planning meeting when a decision on the scheme will be made.

Among those attending the meeting was arts supporter Perwina Whitmore, from Dorchester.

She said: "I'm very excited by these plans - it is a great chance to develop public space in Dorchester and offer young people more reasons to stay living in the town."

Maggie Ansell, of Dorchester, added: "As a mother and grandmother, I want the best for younger people growing up in the town and this scheme gives Dorchester a good living heart.

"At the moment the town seems to die at 5pm."

The meeting heard developers want to build around 600 dwellings on the site, with 154 deemed affordable.

A total of 31 of those 154 affordable units would be used as low cost nurses accommodation, the meeting heard.

But housing campaigners told developers they wanted to see the number of affordable homes in the scheme increased to meet West Dorset guidelines.

Coun Molly Rennie said: "There are over 2,000 people on our housing list - we should balance the desire for an arts centre against the need for more affordable housing."

Planning director David Evans said the council remained in negotiations with Brewery Square over increases affordable housing levels.

Anyone wishing to lodge their comments on the scheme with West Dorset needs to do so by November 26.