On the 6 December 2024, Dorset Council made the Dorset Council (Dinah's Hollow Improvement Scheme) Compulsory Purchase Order 2024 (CPO) under section 102, 239, 249 and 250 of the Highways Act 1980.  The purpose of the CPO is to acquire the necessary land and rights required for the Dinah's Hollow Improvement Scheme to stabilise the slopes of Dinah's Hollow on the C13 in north Dorset. 
 
The Council has submitted the CPO to the Secretary of State for Transport for confirmation, and if confirmed, the CPO will authorise the Dorset Council to purchase compulsorily the land and the new rights described in the CPO documentation listed below.
 
The following documents set out the background to making the CPO:

Objections were received to the CPO and a Public Local Inquiry will be held by an Inspector appointed for the purpose by the Secretary of State for Transport beginning at 10am on Tuesday 1 July 2025 at The Exchange, Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1FH.
 
A list of the documents the Council intends to refer to or to put in evidence at the public inquiry can be found below, however, the Council reserves the right to add to this list.

Documents list

Dinah's Hollow Compulsory Purchase Order

Dinah's Hollow sealed CPO map

Dinah's Hollow CPO map

Dinah's Hollow CPO Statement of Reasons

Extracts from the Acquisition of Land Act 1981

Extracts from the Highways Act 1980

Guidance on the Compulsory Purchase Process

Note on the Preparation, Drafting and Submission of Compulsory Purchase Orders for Highway Schemes and Car Parks for which the Secretary of State is the Confirming Authority, Circular 2/97

Reports to and Cabinet resolution dated 13 May 2015:

Report to and Cabinet resolution dated 6 October 2020

Report to and Cabinet resolution dated 6 April 2021

Report to and Cabinet resolution to authorise CPO powers in principle dated 9 July 2024 (including Cabinet-Update Sheet)

Report to and delegated decision to make the CPO dated 6 December 2024

Brody Forbes report dated December 2013

'Well-managed Highway Infrastructure' October 2016 Code of Practice

November 2014 Options Report

WSP memo dated 17 March 2016

WSP Technical Note dated 20 August 2024

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment dated July 2015

Landscape and Ecology Report V2 dated August 2024

Interim Ecological Assessment Dinah’s Hollow V3 dated May 2024

Environmental Impact Assessment screening opinion dated 29 August 2024

Equality Impact Assessment dated 2 August 2024

Red Rock Report dated September 2024

Tree Decision Notice (Tree Works - TPO) dated 3 October 2024

WSP HGV Vibration Impact Assessment dated 11 October 2024

Arboricultural Impact Assessment and Arboricultural Method Statement dated 1 August 2024

Capital Strategy 2025 - 2028

Statement of Case

Full-size copies of Figures referred to in the Statement of Case