Landowners forced to sell over road safety work

Landowners are expected to be forced to sell their land to allow an £8m road safety scheme to go ahead.

Talks have been going on with two landowners on either side of Dinah's Hollow in Melbury Abbas, Dorset, since 2021.

Landslips have led to previous temporary closures, with concrete barriers currently protecting the C13 road  - one of the main north-south routes in Dorset.

Dorset Council's cabinet has unanimously backed proposals to use compulsory purchase to buy the land either side of the deep hollow to allow work, agreed in 2020, to go ahead.

The cost of the project has soared from £4.5million in the time negotiations to buy the land have been taking place.

The scheme will include using soil nails to hold the land in place together with a drainage plan and landscaping.

Dorset Council said it could deliver the scheme and prove a positive environmental benefit overall, although some trees and vegetation will need to be cut back.

A report to Tuesday's cabinet meeting said the council was continuing to negotiate with landowners, but that "given the safety concerns at Dinah’s Hollow, the council cannot wait for negotiations to break down before commencing the compulsory purchase process".

"Therefore, it will be necessary to make a compulsory purchase order," it said.

The report also said not carrying out the work would risk loss of life, or serious injury, to road users, possible legal action against the council, and disruption on the important north-south highway route.

No timescale has been agreed for the works. The compulsory purchase orders need to be approved by the Secretary of State, and measures will need to be taken to resettle wildlife including dormice, bats and badgers.

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