By Marilyn Barber | newseditor@dorsetview.co.uk

People visiting Wimborne Market today were greeted with a poster announcing that the last market to be held on the site would be on Sunday 19 December.

Earlier this week Dorset Council’s Eastern Area Planning Committee granted permission to McCarthy Stone by seven votes to one to build a retirement village on the site.

The development will include 67 one and two-bedroom Extra Care apartments, 32 Extra Care bungalows and two-storey chalets in a range of tenure options as well as 9 open market houses.

The scheme includes a wellbeing hub, circular fitness route, allotments, village green, bistro and dining areas all supported by 24-hour flexible care and support on-site.

Dorset Council turned down a previous application in July this year with officers citing a number of concerns including surface water drainage flood risk and the impact on local Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSIs).

Shane Paull, divisional development director for McCarthy Stone Southern said: “Our proposed urban retirement village would be the first of its kind for McCarthy Stone, and we are proud to have an opportunity to be able to deliver this in Dorset, the home of our head office for the past 40 years.”

The company said it anticipates that construction of the development will begin early next year.

The George family, owners of Wimborne Market, said they hoped to establish a new country style market at The Wimborne Showground, which is adjoining the Wimborne Bypass and the Lake Gates Roundabout.

However, they admitted it would take some months before planning decisions on that site would be made.

The market traders have been told to ensure that all their goods are cleared from their pitches by 31 December, as there will be no access to the market after the end of the year.

At the time of writing the Wimborne Market website is unavailable.

Wimborne Market was founded by Thomas Ensor in 1860.