
Dorchester Civic Society
Celebrating over 40 years of caring about Dorchester
We are independent and non-political and provide a forum to share ideas and opinions with other people who, like you, care for Dorchester’s special character and its future

About the Society
We are independent and non-political and aim to involve people of all ages and backgrounds.
We exist to stimulate people’s interest in the town by encouraging high standards of architecture, urban design and planning. We work to preserve and enhance buildings and areas of historic interest and the town’s landscape setting.
Upcoming Events
The Current Planning Reforms: Implications for Dorchester – Online Talk
At our next talk via Zoom on Tuesday, 2nd March at 7.30 pm our guest speaker will be
Professor Gavin Parker, Chair of Planning Studies at the Henley Business School, University of Reading. His talk is entitled The Current Planning Reforms: Implications for Dorchester’.
Professor Parker will provide a short introduction to the current planning reforms and then spend most of the session responding to questions from the floor. Topics that might be covered in the Q&A session include:
* what the reforms mean for Dorchester
* planning in a national park context
* front loading of public participation
* the three development ‘zones’
* using codification in a complex world
Gavin Parker is a chartered planner who maintains a strong research interest in citizenship, participation and governance in land, planning and development. In 2020 he was elected as Chair of the New Forest National Park Authority. His listed specialisms include:
Expertise in planning, Neighbourhood planning; Community engagement and planning, Countryside planning, Local decision making, Land and property rights; Land use conflict.
Members will be sent the joining link via email, if you are not a member and wish to come to the talk please email the secretary at info@dorchestercivicsociety.org.uk who will be in contact with you.
Recent Publications
Viability of North of Dorchester Development
February 2021
Response to Local Plan Review
