West Stafford village homes refused by Dorset Council
Developers said the site could take 14 homes and parking for 26 vehicles
An ‘in principle’ application for 14 homes at West Stafford has been refused by Dorset Council.
The outline application, to consider access for the site to the east of Wynd Close, said that the plot, of two thirds of a hectare, currently used as a paddock is capable of taking 14 homes and parking for 26 vehicles.
The application, from West Stafford LVA LLP, using a Hampshire planning agent, said the homes would be a mix of either 2, 3 or 4-bedroom homes, each with parking and private gardens, mostly detached.
It said that six would be open market, four classed as affordable, social or intermediate rent and four for self or custom-built.
A site immediately to the north, Shepherd’s Walk, a development of ten homes, was approved at appeal in March 2019 and has just been completed. To the south is the Weymouth to Waterloo rail line and the West Stafford bypass.
Said the agent in the application:
“The applicant proposes to follow on from the site to the north and replicate the established high quality design principles, including a proportion of self-build plots due to the high demand experienced on the adjacent site.”
An access was proposed from the existing access point from Wynd Close in the southwest corner of the site to be extended to form the entrance to the new cul-de-sac.
Objections
A couple from Glebeland Close are among several objectors to the proposal, telling the council:
“The access to the site off the turning head in Wynd Close would cause conflict between turning traffic and traffic entering and leaving the site. It is noted that the application is for access only but we feel that 14 units are excessive off one private drive.”
Knightsford Parish Council also wrote to object, telling Dorset Council planners:
“There will be a dangerous increase in traffic at the junction of Wynd Close and the main road. We estimate an extra 84 vehicle movements daily in addition to the 60 movements that will be occurring from the Shepherd’s Walk development.
"The majority of this traffic will turn left through the Village at a blind corner on a hill. The road through the village is part of the National Cycle Network and has seen a large increase in the number of cyclists over the last two years.
"Increased use of vehicles does not align with Dorset Councils Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy.”
Negative environmental impacts
A planning case officer report concluded that there would be “negative environmental impacts” from developing the site:
“Whilst the proposal would make provision for affordable housing, the greater proportion would be open market housing in an unsustainable location.
"It is considered that the public benefits would not outweigh the harm to heritage assets. The proposal would also have adverse implications for nutrient levels in Poole Harbour,” said the report.