Hundreds of protesters marched through Dorchester on Saturday to oppose plans for 4,000 new homes on open land north of the town, which they say would desecrate the Thomas Hardy countryside.
The demonstration, organised by pressure group Stand, saw campaigners carrying effigies of a property developer and demanding Dorset Council rethink its draft local plan. The proposed development between Charminster and Stinsford has drawn opposition from Dorchester Town Council, the Dorchester Civic Society, and the CPRE.
Stand member Linda Poulsen said: 'We feel that the suggestion that development should take place on a massive scale north of Dorchester is being bulldozed through against the democratic wishes of the local community.' She described the fields as the 'green lungs' of Dorchester, with huge historical, environmental, and cultural significance.
Town crier and local historian Alistair Chisholm, who joined the march, said: 'There is a great groundswell of objection. I'm sure we can come up with something which is a great deal more agreeable and which respects the quintessence of Dorset which is a rural county.'
Dorset Council's David Walsh, member for planning, defended the process, stating: 'We continue to work on the policies that underpin the plan. This includes research and gathering information to make sure the plan delivers what it needs to for Dorset's next generations. I am very proud of the work the team is doing.' He added that there would be further opportunity for public comment before the plan is voted on by the full council.
