Houses and new access road 'will put pressure on services', say Burton residents

Described by residents as an "urban sprawl", the development for land off rural Preston Lane in Burton, is 'out of place', those objecting say.

They fear it will lead to more pressure on under-strain services including the village doctors' surgery and surrounding roads.

The planning application from Cawdor Construction Developments Ltd is asking for permission to build a one bedroom flat, a two-bedroom flat, two two-bedroom semi detached houses, one three-bedroom house, two four-bedroom houses and three five-bedroom properties on the land, next to the The Lindens cul-de-sac.

A design and access statement, submitted with the application to Christchurch Borough Council, says: "The traditional design approach will help to assimilate the development into its village setting using local materials – clay facing bricks and natural slate with painted timber doors and sliding sash windows.

"Detailing such as flat gauged brick arches, cast stone sills, corbelled brick chimneys and terracotta pots all add to the visual interest and design quality."

But residents of The Lindens, as well as other villagers have criticised the plans, with one person saying: "There is a shortage of school places, doctors' surgeries are over subscribed and the minor roads in this area cannot cope with more traffic.

"Ten houses will generate at least twenty more cars not to mention the chaos caused by the building works.

"The sewers are already overloaded in bad weather not to mention the flooding that occurs most winters in that area. More houses here will just exacerbate the problem for those of us who already have homes here."

Another resident said: "This is far too concentrated a development for such a tiny lane.

"The entrance to Tucks Fold field is often unreachable when the road is flooded."

Residents are also concerned the rural aspect of the setting would be destroyed should the development get the go-ahead.