Decision on controversial Swanage homes expected TODAY
90 homes could be built on the old Grammar School site
We'll soon find out whether plans for 90 new homes on the former Swanage Grammar School site will go ahead.
An application to build on the site off Northbrook Road is due to be decided by Dorset Council today (Wednesday 6th April).
It'll be the end of a long-running saga into whether the land should be used for residential development, following the demolition of the school and its buildings.
The plans haven't been without their controversy though - with 40 formal objections and an online petition attracting well over 1,000 signatures.
Concerns have been raised about the impact of building on children attending a nearby school and pre-school, due to both the construction and houses overlooking the grounds.
Dorset Council suggest that would be minimised by fencing.
St Mary’s School. which sits alongside the site, had asked for reassurance about overlooking from the new homes when the application was first submitted last year. It says that it had been planning a wildlife area next to the development plot.
Swanage Town Council also said it had concerns about the site access and has asked for a footpath connection to Days Park to be put in place should the development be agreed.