by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Public comments on revised plans for the Dorchester North housing development are being invited – by April 2nd.
The house-builders behind the scheme, which they have dubbed the North Dorchester Garden Community, say they have cut the number of proposed homes from 3,750 to 3,600 and changed part of the 916 acre site layout.
More than 300 people visited the latest exhibition of the proposals in Dorchester over two days.
The developers says the new garden community, between Charminster and Stinsford, to the north of the county town, would provide new affordable housing together with three new schools, healthcare facilities, employment provision and spaces for nature and wildlife.
Around half of the land available for development has been set aside for green space, including new parks, sports facilities, allotments, community orchards and protection of the water meadows.
The consortium say they have revised the location for the proposed schools following discussions with Dorset Council and redesigned the Southern Central neighbourhood, one of the three new ‘village’ areas, introducing a more pedestrian-friendly layout and new public square with shops, cafes, a mid-sized supermarket, healthcare hub, leisure facilities and a pub.
Changes have also been made to proposed walking and cycling route into Dorchester, offering a more direct connection to the town centre, with land set aside for a new household recycling centre at the request of Dorset Council and a woodland burial area.
The scheme also includes a proposed new link road between the A35 and A37 to the north, aimed at easing pressure on the existing road network and Dorchester’s High Street.
Said a spokesperson for the North Dorchester Consortium: “We would like to thank everyone who took the time to attend last week’s consultation events and share their views. We had many constructive discussions over the course of the exhibitions and the webinar, and it was valuable to hear directly from local residents about what matters most to them.
“The feedback is helping to shape the scheme as it evolves, and we remain committed to working collaboratively with the community over the long term, as we bring forward a 20+year vision for Dorchester’s sustainable growth and prosperity.”
The consortium’s consultation is open until midnight 2 April 2026 at www.northdorchester.org.uk/consultation with residents encouraged to review the updated masterplan and share their feedback via the website.
The Consortium, comprising Grainger plc and Wyatt Homes, say it will continue to refine the scheme ahead of submitting planning applications to Dorset Council later this year.
Once that happens public comments will again be invited – this time by Dorset Council which will, eventually, decide the application.
