Campaigners say Blandford St Mary 'under threat' from 135 new homes
Dorset CPRE and Blandford Parish Council say plans for 135 additional homes in Blandford will have “little to no benefit”
Campaigners opposing plans for an extra 135 homes in Blandford St Mary say the scheme will “swamp the area”.
A landowner has applied to get planning permission for 135 homes in Blandford St Mary, just south of Blandford.
The application, submitted by Hallam Land Management, says a “mix of house types” would be built on the site, including affordable homes as well as green spaces.
But the proposal has been met with opposition from Dorset Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), along with Blandford St Mary Parish Council.
Dorset CPRE argue the proposed scheme offers “little or no benefit” to Blandford St Mary and will instead overpopulate the area.
Spokesperson, Rupert Hardy said: “Blandford is ‘already creaking at the seams. The schools and medical practices are already under severe strain and if you build more houses, you’ll just encourage more incomers.”
The group said North Dorset is in the “fortunate position” that it now has a housing land supply in excess of five years, making the application “completely unnecessary.”
Mr Hardy added: “The housing target for Blandford Forum and St Mary in the North Dorset Local Plan is at least 1,200 homes and the latest report showed that 1,225 homes will be delivered by 2031.
“There is no need for more housing, particularly since the recent approval of a further 490 homes in north Blandford and Pimperne.”
Other objections are around the site being “unsustainable” with most shops and services over a mile away, resulting in more people “using their cars” and “clogging up roads”.
Mr Hardy mentioned: “The scheme will harm the Cranbourne Chase area of outstanding natural beauty and significantly impact on the setting of the Lower Blandford St Mary with its lovely church and listed buildings.
“It’s also sad that good arable land should be used for housing and it's not necessary.”
However, the planning application said the “robust, high-quality, sustainable residential development” would be a benefit to the area.