by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Dozens have backed plans for a statue of Susie the Cat for Dorchester’s South Street, including fans from Scotland and Wales.
The statue is proposed for a site outside the Julia’s House shop in the lower part of the town’s main shopping street where Susie is often seen ‘on patrol’.
Poundbury resident James Honeychuck has made the planning application for the one-metre statue to Dorset Council to be sat on a Portland stone plinth.
A plaque on the plinth will read: “SUSIE THE DORCHESTER CAT posing as a cat of Durnovaria, Roman Dorchester wearing a Roman cat collar of glass beads leaving a paw print on a Roman tile MMXXVI.”
The application form says that highlighting Dorchester’s Roman past is one of the objectives of the statue – the others being to provide accessible public art for all and to honour Susie for her frequent visits to local shops. A short poem to be composed by the Bard of Dorchester which will be added to one side of the plinth.
Among the early support for the status is one Scottish resident who holidays in the area every year. Iorna Dannerberg tells the council : “We come into Dorchester especially to see Susie. Her popularity is amazing and she has become a wonderful ambassador to the town. She clearly also brings people into the town and in turn supports local businesses. This is a wonderful idea to celebrate the life of an animal who brings so much joy to people. There cannot be any serious objections to this proposal.”
Despite the claim there are objections : Said Dorchester resident Barry White in his letter to the council : “This is something the town doesn’t need. It adds nothing to our attractions for visitors when the town’s wonderful Roman heritage is largely underplayed. It would be far for useful and informative if the neglected brown tourist signs situated at both main entrances to Dorchester were refurbished. They just make the town look uninteresting and neglected. Promote it properly, not waste money on flippant displays.”
Public comments on the proposal remain open until the May 1st– the full details can be found on the Dorset Council website using the reference P/FUL/2026/01516
