A vision for exemplar, organic growth to the west of Sherborne

Sherborne Castle Estates (the Estate) has revealed a vision for exemplar, organic growth to the west of Sherborne in response to Dorset Council’s recently launched Local Plan Consultation which identifies three areas of potential development to the north-west and western edges of the town.  

The concept for West Sherborne is for a sensitively planned and high quality, sustainable development, connected to the town centre with footpaths and cycleways. The design and delivery of the whole scheme would be controlled by the Estate to ensure the very highest standards are met.

The Estate believes that an innovative approach to development would guide plans for the organic growth of the town for the next 20 years to create new neighbourhoods inspired by the historic and cultural heritage of the community.

Nigel Jones, the Estate’s development consultant, said: “At this stage, we are suggesting a masterplan for development which is first and foremost, a ‘place’, not merely more housing bolted on to the side of the town.

“We have appointed a team of specialists to help us produce a masterplan for an exemplar scheme which will see new homes alongside green open spaces, connected to the town centre with footpaths and cycleways.  Right from the start we’ll also be considering what additional infrastructure would be needed, such as educational and medical facilities, employment and retail space, as well as any necessary highways improvements.”

Mr Jones added: “The masterplan also gives us the chance to deliver a new western gateway for the town, potentially reducing a substantial section of the A30 dual carriageway to a single tree-lined street, allowing people to access the community and its facilities through a series of routes designed for pedestrians and cyclists.

“We have had some very preliminary discussions with some of the key stakeholders in Sherborne, and we will be expanding on these in the near future. The Estate’s vision is for a development to be designed and built to the highest standards, and managed from start to finish by the Estate to ensure these standards are maintained.

“We have created a website, www.westsherborne.co.uk, so people can see these early ideas and let us know what they think. More formal public consultation will be undertaken should the plans progress through Dorset Council’s Local Plan proposals.”