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An URGENT APPEAL from The Thomas Hardy Society
In the short story ‘ The Withered Arm’ by Thomas Hardy, the character Gertrude Lodge roams around Casterbridge (Dorchester) exclaiming ‘Oh- a reprieve -I hope not!‘ Conversely,I would strongly argue that there must be a reprieve at all costs and a stop to the proposed development to the north of Dorchester.
Furthermore , the ‘execution’ of the proposed landscape by the water meadows stretches from Charminster to Stinsford and will be a complete blot on the area comprising of 4,500 houses - a development larger than Poundbury. The concept is not only ill conceived but is ‘ cultural vandalism’ of the literary and archaeological heritage of the county town of the highest order.
Recently, the 27th International Thomas Hardy Society Conference and Festival was held in Dorchester and delegates were appalled at the potential loss and pure sacrilege of this site . The delegates were not against housing but felt that this area was completely inappropriate for development. The land not only features in the works of Hardy but also hosts eclectic wildlife and nature.
Ultimately, it is not too late to change and to halt this absurd development. Consider Michael Henchard in ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’ when he stands at Ten Hatches Weir and sees his doppelgänger floating in the River Frome and thus he reflects and changes direction. The landscape from Ten Hatches will soon become a concrete jungle if this proposal is not contravened and challenged.
Please do voice your objections to the first 500 homes submitted for planning permission to Dorset Council by 28th August 2026 with your concerns around potential flooding, traffic, infrastructure, archaeology, literary heritage and impact on tourism. Please write to planningpolicyconsult@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
United we STAND together.
In solidarity,
Mark Damon Chutter
Chair and Academic Director
The Thomas Hardy Society
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