Dorchester Prison plan refused

From BBC News - "Controversial proposals to turn a former prison into 189 homes have been refused by councillors. Developer City and Country, which was behind the plans for the former Dorchester Prison in Dorset, said it was "disappointed" by the decision".

View from Dorchester (Trevor Bevins) - Last minute plea to include ‘affordable’ housing in prison plans (print edition article August 10, 2016) - "Alastair Simpson is among those who spoke to the Dorchester Labour Housing Forum, desperate for affordable housing given the high property prices and private rents in the town". “Being Dorchester born and raised I’m extremely disappointed not to be able to afford to live in my town. I had high hopes for the prison site. After the luxury developments at Brewery Square I thought there might be a chance for us. As if Dorchester needs more luxury apartments for second homers or retirees. It is exactly that market which drives up property prices in the county and drives out those who provide the basis for the local society to work. There are complaints about the lack of young people in the county, but this is a vicious circle that pushes us away; we cannot afford to live in the place we grew up.” Chair of Dorchester Labour Barry Thompson said: “They should reject the application until it includes an affordable element".