A public inquiry into compulsory purchase orders on land at Dinah’s Hollow, on the C13 Shaftesbury-Blandford road, was cut short on Tuesday, after the statutory objectors (the landowners) withdrew their objections.
Dept. of Transport inspector Malcolm Rivett was expecting to hear objections to the Dorset Council CPOs, and the inquiry was scheduled for two days at The Exchange at Sturminster Newton, but in the event it was all over on Tuesday morning.
The purpose of the CPOs is to acquire the necessary land and rights required for the Dinah’s Hollow Improvement Scheme to stabilise the slopes of the hollow.
Dorset Council wants to improve safety on this part of the C13, following surveys and concern about the stability of the steep slopes. This concern follows a tragic fatal accident near Beaminster in July 2012, when a car and its occupants were buried in a landslip. The inspector heard that there could be a possible charge of corporate manslaughter if a similar accident happened at Dinah’s Hollow.
It is worth noting that, despite these concerns, Dinah’s Hollow remains open, with vehicular passage controlled by traffic lights, until the lengthy CPO and planning process is completed.
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