THE latest version of a controversial scheme to build up to 630 new homes on former green belt land in Wimborne has been granted approval.

The development by Bloor Homes will be situated to the east and west of Cranborne Road, Burts Hill.

As well as homes, the scheme includes a new local centre, a new and extended Wimborne First School, public open space, and new allotments, together with new access, streets, and other related infrastructure.

The developers first submitted an application for the site in 2014 when it proposed up to 650 homes. The plans, which were revised in 2015, have provoked numerous objections from residents who feared the development will be effectively “a new town of its own”.

They have expressed concerns over increased traffic in the area, as well as the impact on local facilities and the Burts Hill Conservation Area.

The proposals fall under the core strategy, adopted by the district council, which is essentially a blueprint for preferred future development in East Dorset until 2028.

The document was presented to a government inspector in 2013 and adopted by the council in March 2014, and is partly based on the council's assessment that 50 per cent affordable housing was deliverable on the Cranborne Road site.

However, the affordable housing provision has since been reduced to 32 per cent.

But Wimborne councillor Shane Bartlett has welcomed the prospect of new affordable homes in the area.

“There is a need for social and affordable housing in the area so I’m glad we’re getting that with this development.

“It’s a fact of life that people want to preserve green belt land, and that’s why this has been such a contentious issue.”

He said he did have concerns, however, about the impact of the development on Wimborne town centre.

“The development has such a high density of homes and it will put the commuting traffic on the wrong side of the town so they will have to go through the town centre to get onto the main arterial routes.

Colehill is also worried about the increase in traffic flow.”

At a meeting of Wimborne Minster Town Council’s planning and environment committee last month, concerns were raised over the traffic implications of the development, particularly on Burts Hill.

Members said further thought needed to be given to reducing speed limits and access arrangements.

Further details of the scheme will be the subject of reserved matters applications.