Dorchester is looking tatty and untidy – according to a councillor

Published February 17, 2026

by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Richard Biggs who is a cabinet member at Dorset Council looking after regeneration projects, and also serves as a town councillor, says parts of the county town is showing signs of neglect and criminal damage.

He has suggested the town council looks at the problems and draw up a list of areas which need attention.

Among his claims it that a dead rat was found alongside one of the town’s litter bins and that many public areas are in need of attention.

“Our public realm is deteriorating… this is something we need to get a grip on and say, from this (town) council, that it’s not good enough… our town conservation area is starting to look grotty,” he told a town council planning and environment committee.

Cllr Molly Rennie said she shared the concerns and suggested all town councillors be invited to walk around the town and list the problems they found – directing the attention to whichever body needs to take action to resolve the problems.

A quick walk around the town by Dorset Local Democracy Reporter, Trevor Bevins, found several areas which could be improved, many of them with little effort.

What do you think are the town’s worse ‘grot spots’ in need of attention? Email your suggestions and pictures to studio@keep106.com

Reporter Trevor Bevins snapped the photos below (click to enlarge)