A West Parley Parish Councillor has sent a warning to residents in West Dorset as Dorset County Council releases plans for consultations surrounding 1000 new homes near Dorchester.
Richard Heaslip, chairman of West Parley Residents Association and Parish Council said: “They don’t really listen to the residents, on the surface they do but their consultations don’t deliver.”
“Look up the example in East Dorset and learn from it,” said Mr Heaslip, asking the West Dorset residents to investigate the case of West Parley before they attend their own consultation sessions.
Mr Heaslip has been involved with the Keep West Parley Green resident’s group, resisting the council’s plans to build 2000 new homes on green belt land.
The residents have claimed the consultation run by the council has been undemocratic and had not had enough room for complaints to be heard.
As a result of the unrest, residents groups marched on the council offices at Furzehill yesterday.
The protestors carried an illuminated coffin with “The Death Of Democracy” spray painted on the side to demonstrate the percieved injustive.
West Dorset District Council are running drop in sessions for residents to view the plans set aside for West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland.
The plan, say the council, is to set out strategy to ensure future housing, economic and social needs are met such as sufficient housing based on projected population figures.
The consultations mark a mid way point in a six week consultation period that began at the end of January and will end on the 14th March 2013.
Further details on the development can be found here and more details on the consultations and where to find them can be viewed here.
Residents wishing to comment can do so by emailing s.policy@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk , telephoning: 01305 252386 or by mail to: West Dorset District Council, South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UZ.
Main image credit: geograph.co.uk
