Developers scale back controversial ‘garden community’ plans north of Dorchester
Developers behind the North Dorchester housing scheme have reduced plans from 3,750 to 3,600 homes
Developers behind a major housing scheme on the edge of Dorchester have reduced the number of proposed homes following consultation with residents and planners, in a move aimed at addressing mounting local concerns.
The consortium behind the North Dorchester Garden Community confirmed it has cut the total number of homes from 3,750 to 3,600 and made changes to the layout of the 916-acre site.
The proposed development, located between Charminster and Stinsford, would still deliver thousands of new homes alongside infrastructure including three schools, healthcare facilities and employment space.
It’s raised concerns among local resident like Nigel Kay: “Our village currently only has a thousand people and the village is centuries old. Now, they're intending to put another 4,000 homes on our doorstep. It doesn't seem right.”
Meanwhile, developers say the scheme will prioritise green space, with around half of the site set aside for parks, sports facilities, allotments and community orchards in a bid to appease residents.
Design revisions include relocating proposed school sites following discussions with Dorset Council and reshaping one of the three planned “village” neighbourhoods to be more pedestrian-friendly.
Plans now include a central public square with shops, cafés, a supermarket, leisure facilities and a pub.
The consortium has also updated proposals for walking and cycling routes into Dorchester, promising more direct connections to the town centre.
Land has additionally been earmarked for a new household recycling centre and a woodland burial area at the request of the council.
A key element of the scheme remains a proposed link road connecting the A35 road and A37 road, intended to relieve pressure on Dorchester’s congested road network.
In a statement, developers said community feedback had played a central role in shaping the updated plans. “We had many constructive discussions with residents, and it was valuable to hear directly what matters most to them,” a spokesperson said.
They added the project represents a long-term vision for “sustainable growth and prosperity” over the next two decades.
Despite this, Mr Kay said: “We don't believe that there is the housing need that the government's targets suggest and population growth in Dorset is pretty low.
“There aren't many new jobs and there aren't many big employers here so the majority of new people coming into the area are older people migrating in.”