PLANNING lead at Dorset Council, Cllr David Walsh, has claimed that future housing growth will not affect the county as a tourist attraction.

In response to a question about the proposed Dorchester North development of thousands of new homes, he says housing and enhancing the environment can go hand in hand. Dorchester town councillor Alistair Chisholm, who is opposing plans for new homes north of the county town, claims new building in the area could damage the Dorset ‘brand’ as a rural county with a World Heritage coastline and its associations with author Thomas Hardy. But planning portfolio holder Cllr Walsh in his response at this week’s Cabinet meeting, claims: “Dorset’s environment and heritage are important for its economy – but Dorset also needs housing if its economy is to thrive. The availability and affordability of housing are important to enable businesses to attract workers.

“The Dorset Local Plan needs to provide for the economic, social and environmental needs of the area – allocating land for new homes and for businesses to grow, while protecting and enhancing the area’s environmental assets.  Previous housing growth has not harmed the local economy or the Dorset brand, and the local plan provides for environmental protection and enhancement alongside development.”