PLANS to spend £4.3 million on an area in Dorset at risk of landslips is set to be discussed by Dorset Council's Cabinet next month.

Dinah’s Hollow, at Melbury Abbas near Shaftesbury, is one of many new projects, which require a total of around £15 million, that need capital funding.

Geotechnical engineers have assessed Dinah's Hollow to be at risk of landslips, with the potential to cause death to more than one person and closure of one of the main North-South routes through Dorset.

There is a proposal to spend around £4.3 million on stabilising the slopes at the hollow.

Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment at Dorset Council, Cllr Ray Bryan said: "I’m pleased that plans are underway to commence this important work to ensure Dinah’s Hollow is safe for road users in the future.

"The proposed work at Dinah's Hollow is prompted by the safety concerns that were raised regarding bank instability and the risk of injury, possibly death, it poses to users of the highway.

"The work cannot be undertaken without some compromises and the design has undergone numerous iterations, trimming the extent of the soil nailing to a minimum."

While work has been undertaken, the trees along the crest of the slopes have been retained to minimise visual impact on the wider landscape.

On the slopes, some of the mature trees will be retained and planting holes created for replacements.

The numbers and spacing will be limited to ensure the soil retention system still functions effectively, but the hollow will not be completely stripped of tree cover.

Cllr Bryan said: "Overall, the environment within the hollow will see more light allowed to enter. Plants and saplings will be allowed to grow up through the mesh creating a varied habitat that will need to be managed. Ecology will govern the time of year that construction and maintenance operations take place to minimise the impact.

"The elected members of Dorset Council have difficult decisions to make balancing conflicting demands of social health and well-being, the climate emergency, highway safety and ensuring a sustainable business economy. Whatever the outcome the decision will not be taken lightly and will be made in the best interests of Dorset as a whole."

This will be discussed by the Cabinet on Tuesday, April 6.