
We are still looking for funding
Subject to funding we hope to:
– Make promotional videos to show what would be lost should the DOR 13 proposals be adopted/go ahead.
– Commission a professional study into the impact of DOR 13 proposals on the tourist economy.
– Challenge the consultant’s reports commissioned by the developers.
We’re a group of local people campaigning against the proposal to build over 4,000 houses on countryside to the north of Dorchester in Dorset.
Size of the proposed site
The map shows the proposed site in red. The grey area is the existing town of Dorchester and the blue area shows the size the Poundbury development will be when it is finished.
The developers are the North Dorchester Consortium, which includes Persimmon Homes.

This is a much-loved area of the countryside, largely unchanged since Thomas Hardy’s day. A building development of over 4,000 houses here would change the character of Dorchester deeply and irrevocably. It will have a considerable impact on local services and traffic, but provide no guarantee of affordable housing. It will devastate the countryside, the wildlife and could damage our tourist industry.
Why we’re objecting
There are a number of grounds for objecting to this development, including:
- Impact on Dorchester
- Connection to Dorchester and road links
- Impact on the environment
- Impact on the heritage
- Impact on our tourism
The appeal of Dorset to visitors and many residents is its countryside and coast, its smaller scale towns and villages, the importance of its farming and food production, arts and crafts and the opportunity for greener lifestyles. Dorchester is not one of those commuter-belt towns of the south-east; developments like this could severely damage the Dorset ‘brand’.
What can I do?
The Dorset Council Local Plan, which contains the proposal to develop this site, has just been published and a Public Consultation on it runs until March 15th 2021. If you are opposed to this development it’s very important to tell Dorset Council what you think. You can do this in the Consultation document or you might prefer to write or email your views directly.
Sign our petition
Reject the inclusion in the Local Plan of the area north of Dorchester as a preferred option for major building development.
We need funds to raise awareness of this threat
Every single contribution, however small, is greatly appreciated. Donations of any size are welcome and you can rest assured that all the money will be used to raise people’s awareness of this important issue.
make a stand during this consultation period before our landscape is lost forever. To do this please use the following links and submit your response by Monday 15 March 2021: