26 homes for Child Okeford refused for being 'out of keeping' with village
Dorset Council planners had recommended the scheme to be approved
Details of a 26-HOME scheme at Child Okeford have been refused after councillors decided it would be ‘out of keeping’ with the village.
The plot, off Haywards Lane and to the west of Allen Close, already has permission in principle. It lies outside the village conservation area and has existing developments alongside.
A number of objections from residents said the design of the homes were more urban than rural with some claiming the development would have an impact on views from and to Hambledon Hill.
One, Mr David Taylor, told the area planning committee meeting that many residents were upset that ELT Bournemouth Ltd, the company behind the scheme, had not consulted them. He said the new homes would be too close to eight neighbouring properties resulting in a loss of privacy.
Tim Cotton, from the parish council, told the meeting there was no clear need for the homes and the density of the proposal would be higher than other sites on the edge of the village and out of keeping with the character of the area.
Committee member Cllr Matt Hall raised concerns over the landscaping proposals with a large oak tree likely to remain in place outside at least one of the homes and the planting of crab apples which he said would cause damage to cars and create slippery surfaces for pedestrians.
Cllr Carole Jones said the issue was not the number of homes, but the designs and layout: “It just could have been done in a better way,” she said.
Other criticisms included the layout of the properties with the ten affordable homes set alongside each other in two blocks.
Most of the homes on the site are planned as two and three-bed with five 4-bed homes and a play area and public open space planned for the eastern section of the site.
Dorset Council planning officers had recommended approval for the scheme saying that the “Layout, scale and appearance of the dwellings is reflective of surrounding development and sensitive to the character and appearance of the area.”
The officer report added that the landscaping is considered to be acceptable and that the new homes would cause no harm to the conservation area or Hambledon Hill.