DISCUSSIONS have begun to form an in-town market in Wimborne.

Wimborne market announced it would be closing earlier this year, after 165 years of trading.

And the site, off Station Road, has been earmarked for a new retirement village by McCarthy & Stone, although no planning application has been submitted yet.

Despite this, the market is still operating on the same site, but in March talks began about moving to Lake Gates.

But discussions between Wimborne Town Council and Dorset Council have begun on an in-town market.

A post on the Wimborne Town Council Facebook page said: “The Town Council is exploring with Dorset Council and Wimborne BID, the possibility of holding a weekly street market in the town but no details are available at the present whilst negotiations continue.”

The Town Council also stated that several residents have raised concerns about the retirement village.

It said: “Several residents have asked that the Town Council takes action to stop the proposed redevelopment of the Wimborne Market site. The present proposal is for its redevelopment with a retirement village.

“The land on which Wimborne Market is sited is private land and the owners are entitled to do with the land whatever they wish subject to planning permission being granted by Dorset Council.

“A proposal has also been mooted for Wimborne Market to be relocated on land between Julians Bridge and Lake Gates.

“This land is in the Parish of Pamphill, not Wimborne Minster, and planning permission for this proposal would also be required if it is to proceed. This is a matter for Dorset Council.”

For an event like an in-town market, to take place on a public highway, permission will need to be granted to accommodate the event.

The restrictions can include a road closure, reversal of one-way traffic flow, suspension of a one-way street, parking restriction, or revocation of an existing parking restriction.

Types of event requiring traffic restrictions are special events like a carnival, food festival, or remembrance parade. An in-town market would fall under this category.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: “This is something that is happening successfully in Bridport with a one way system on one of the main streets and full closure on a couple of side streets to give space for social distancing for the market.”