Plans to build 80 homes near Wolefton House to go to appeal
Developers are challenging Dorset Council's decision to turn the application down
Another appeal is underway into plans for dozens of homes at Westleaze, Charminster, close to the historic grade 1 listed Wolfeton House.
Dorset Council rejected an application for up to 80 homes on the site last October.
An earlier application, for up to 120 homes, was also turned down, went to appeal in 2019 and was then thrown out.
Developers Land Value Alliances claimed their latest application met all of the previous objections to the larger scheme, has economic benefits for the area and would have created more affordable properties.
Its latest appeal is being heard by the Planning Inspectorate by reading written representations from both sides.
Objections to both proposals have included the Thomas Hardy Society which say the setting of Wolfeton, one of the county’s most important historic homes, featured by Thomas Hardy, would be ruined by the development.
The Thimbleby family, which has spent decades preserving the grade 1 listed building, have stood with village residents in opposing the development on the site, which is known locally as The Strawberry Field.
Charminster parish council said, in its last objection, that ‘considerable harm’ would be done by the homes on the setting of Wolfeton and the village conservation area.
Historic England also maintained its objection although acknowledging that fewer homes, some moved back from Wolfeton and additional tree planting, would lessen the impact compared to the original proposals, but concluded that the overall effect would still be harmful.
“The development would still be visible on the rising land above Wolfeton, when the house is approached via the principal driveway across the water meadows to the South. The rural isolation of the property would be irreversibly affected…this is a Grade I listed building, one of the finest houses in Dorset, and a heritage asset of the very highest significance.”