Dorset weekly round-up: 27 April - 3 May 2024

Rachel's twin sons are autistic and nonverbal

A mother's parliamentary petition on behalf of children with special educational needs was among our most read stories this week in Dorset.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Solent and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

Hospital defends fundraising appeal for new equipment

The hospital said government money would only cover one CT scanner

A hospital has defended a public appeal for cash to buy equipment for its new premises.

Royal Bournemouth Hospital launched the £1.5m fundraiser for its Birth, Emergency, Critical Care and Children's Health (BEACH) building on 22 April.

Critics on social media questioned why the money for items like a second CT scanner was not being provided centrally.

But the hospital said government money would only cover one CT scanner.

Church and care home plan turned down

The church and care home would have been built on heathland

Plans for a church and care home on heathland have been refused by the tightest of margins after a council vote.

Developer Nick Aris had submitted proposals for the development at West Moors.

More than 500 people raised objections over the size of the scheme and traffic concerns.

Dorset Council's planning committee turned it down by a one-vote margin after almost two-and-a-half hours of debate.

Fourth osprey egg surprises researchers

Researchers say female ospreys typically lay three eggs

A fourth osprey egg that was laid as part of a breeding project has surprised researchers.

Female bird CJ7 and male 022 are the only breeding pair of ospreys on England's south coast.

They are being monitored by the Poole Harbour Osprey Project and their first egg was laid on 15 April.

Researchers said female ospreys typically laid three eggs, so they were "taken by surprise" to find the fourth.

Mum's petition over special needs children funding

Rachel said services for children with special needs were "chronically underfunded"

A mother has started a parliamentary petition against emergency plans to fund children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Rachel, who has seven-year-old non-verbal autistic twins, said services were "chronically underfunded".

However, the campaigner, from Poole, said they were being cut further under the government's Safety Valve agreements with councils.

The Department for Education said SEND agreements helped young people.

Crime targeted by new business partnership

Antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and retail crime are being targeted

Scores of firms have signed up to a reporting system aimed at tackling crime in a seaside resort.

The Against Business Crime Partnership aims to tackle antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and retail crime in Bournemouth town centre.

The project, led by the conurbation's Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), also involves police and the council.

More than 80 businesses have joined and 30 incidents have been reported in the first two months.

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