Campaigners against 4,000 new homes denied trade stand at Dorset County Show
Organisers say the show is apolitical
THE group campaigning to save land north of Dorchester form being built over with thousands of homes has been told it is not welcome at this year’s Dorchester Show.
Supporters of STAND (Save the Area North of Dorchester), say the decision comes after the intervention of one of the farmers whose land could be used for the housing scheme. The society which runs the show did not comment on the claim, despite being asked to do so, saying only that the aim of the show is to be ‘apolitical’.
The showground site itself, just on the eastern edge of the town, is one of the areas which might be used for the 4,000-home scheme, should it ever go ahead.
The suggestion of including the area for the massive housing scheme in the revised Local Plan, the next draft of which is now due to be published in about two years’ time, has led to protests outside council offices in Dorchester and several marches and walks to highlight the natural beauty of the area.
STAND say they had twice asked for a space at the show.
Said communications director for the group, Nigel Kay: “We wanted to raise awareness of the threat to Dorchester’s “green lungs.” We have developed an interactive game designed to engage young visitors and their parents in a conversation about the value of our local environment…
“We are disappointed by the decision, because we believe we share many of the values of the Dorchester Agricultural Society. We are passionate about preserving our open green spaces and are keen supporters of the rural economy. We fear the proposed development of the showground and neighbouring countryside will vastly increase traffic congestion and pollution in the area, destroy valuable wildlife habitat and farmland, and bury the local landscape that inspired Thomas Hardy under tons of brick and concrete.”
STAND says it is still waiting for a formal response from the show organisers, although show staff say it has been sent.
Nicki Ralph, Chairman of Dorchester Agricultural Society, which runs the show, said: “Dorset County Show is an apolitical organisation and as such we adhere to this policy when carefully considering and reviewing all of our trade stand applications.
“On this occasion, STAND’s application was declined as it went against this policy. We took the time to carefully explain this rationale to STAND to ensure it was understood that this is an approach that we take with all our trade stand applications.”
Mr Kay says despite what the show organisers say it has still not received any formal explanation.
He added : “STAND is not a political organisation. It is a single-issue campaign opposed to the proposal to build 4,000 houses on agricultural land between Dorchester and Stinsford – including the site of the county showground. We are opposed to the loss of valuable farmland for housebuilding, and the resulting damage to the environment – including many important habitats.
“We support the maintenance of a flourishing rural economy and believe our values are closely aligned to those of the Dorchester Agricultural Society.
“Membership of STAND is not restricted to any particular political party. We have received offers of support from local Conservative and Liberal Democrat politicians. STAND is therefore disappointed by the decision of the show committee not to offer us a pitch at the show. We will now look at alternative means of getting our message across to the show’s visitors.”
The show takes place over the first weekend in September.