West Dorset District Council’s independent viability assessor has just completed its examination of the Dorchester Prison site scheme, promoted by City & Country Residential Ltd.
The District Council’s Local Plan has a policy that requires housing developers to build 35% of the units as affordable housing. However this policy is subject a test of financial viability, which is a governmental regulation designed to ensure that the affordable housing requirement does not render a development financially unviable.
As such, the Council has taken great care that this process has been rigorously conducted and assessors have concluded that due to the high costs associated with developing this congested brown field site in a conservation area, the scheme cannot financially support any affordable housing.
Councillor Tim Yarker, Housing Portfolio Holder for West Dorset District Council, stated:
“I know that both Dorchester Town Council and many residents will share my deep disappointment with this outcome. However I am satisfied that the assessment has been meticulously conducted, and when completed, the scheme will deliver much needed Open Market housing to the town centre and secure a long-term future for this heritage asset within the town’s Conservation Area. It is important that we focus on securing the future of the prison and avoid having a derelict site.
“The Council will continue to work hard to bring other much-needed affordable housing schemes forward.”
