Dorchester councillors oppose housing plans for Great Western Cross site
Concerns raised over insufficient parking and lack of disabled facilities
Plans for a gateway housing site next to Dorchester's west rail station have sparked objections from town councillors due to concerns over parking and the absence of disabled facilities.
The revised proposals for the site, located at Great Western Cross and Maumbury Road, include three parking spaces for 30 flats but do not mention any parking spaces for disabled people or charging facilities for mobility scooters.
This marks a shift from previous support by the town council for the redevelopment of the site, which used to host the former builders' merchant, Gibbs & Dandy.
Cllr Molly Rennie, speaking at the town planning and environment committee meeting on Monday evening, said they had no option but to oppose the plans due to the lack of essential facilities.
Committee chairman Ralph Ricardo expressed concern that the redesign had exchanged limited parking spaces for a green area along Maumbury Road.
He warned that the scarcity of parking spaces would likely lead to a 'bun fight' among future residents and pose challenges for parents with children and those returning home with shopping.
The meeting highlighted that the redesigned plans include high levels of insulation, near passive-house standards, private courtyards, and small balconies for some flats. The development consists mainly of one or two-bed apartments in blocks ranging from two to four storeys, with several units earmarked for business and community use along Maumbury Road in buildings previously used by Foot's agricultural merchant.
Public comments on the proposal are open until 22nd June, with full details available on the Dorset Council website under planning reference 2026/01872.