Further investigation into plans to convert former prison store in Dorchester into a home

Campaigners, including the town's Civic Society, maintain that the site should be used for a pedestrian route to the former prison which is expected to eventually be developed for housing. They have objected to the conversion because it would put an end to the possibility of the link being built.

The scheme was deferred at the previous planning meeting, in early October, to look at possible reasons for refusal – and has now been deferred again to look once more at the original application for the whole prison site and to seek legal advice on the findings.

Dorchester town clerk, Adrian Stuart, argued that the Glyde Path Road building was included on the map of the original development proposals – although this view has been contested by developers City and Country.

Cllr Nigel Bundy told Thursday's West Dorset district planning committee that the claim should be investigated, which the committee agreed to.

He said that if the approved prison application included on its original location plan the Glyde Path Road property it could be argued that there was a tangible link between the two.

The move was backed by Dorchester councillor Robin Potter who said after the meeting: “I fully agree with Dorchester Civic Society who are very keen to keep this link in order to ensure that the prison site is well-connected to Glyde Path Road so that a route is provided as close as possible to the northern edge of the Roman town.”

City and Country agent Adrian Fox had argued that to create a path less than two-metres wide, through an arch, would have made the house unviable, and created a security risk for any future occupants.

Cllr Stella Jones said that the link would create a useful alternative access and exit from the prison site, the only other alternative being via the narrow link between the Corn Exchange building and the church into North Square.

Councillors voted to defer the application for legal advice.