Appeal lodged over Dorchester Prison 189 homes plan

The plans involved converting Victorian cell blocks into flats with the central atrium used as an entrance hall

Developers have lodged an appeal after plans to turn a former prison into 189 homes were refused.

City and Country wants to convert Dorchester Prison, which closed in 2013.

However, more than 200 people have objected to the proposals over the lack of affordable homes on the site.

West Dorset District Council, which refused the application, said a date for the appeal had not yet been set.

Councillors turned down the application, which had been recommended for approval, in August.

City and Country associate director Richard Winsborough said, in addition to the appeal, the company was also resubmitting plans to address the reasons for refusal.

He said: "Our preference is to negotiate a planning consent prior to the appeal process gaining momentum and we hope the resubmission will achieve this."

West Dorset District Council's local plan requires developments to include 35% affordable housing.

A viability assessment, carried out for the council, said City and Country was expected to make an 18% profit of more than £11m, against development costs of nearly £62m.

However, it also backed the developer's claim that the inclusion of affordable housing was not viable.

Developer City and Country hope to build 189 homes and a museum on the site