HUNDREDS of homes could be built in Wimborne if councillors back a huge new scheme.

Developer Bloor Homes has now acquired the land for a new housing development of Cranborne Road, to the north of the town.

Bosses plan to build 630 homes on a site covering 101 acres.

The land is split into two areas in the east - a site covering 60 acres - and the west, which spans 41 acres.

If approved, the development will feature a range of one- to five-bedroom properties, 200 of which will be provided as affordable housing.

Outline planning permission for the scheme was granted by East Dorset District Council in March 2017.

The proposed development will also provide 5.39 hectares of public open space, including children’s play areas and financial contributions to their maintenance.

There are also plans for a 16.7 hectare suitable alternative natural greenspace (SANG), which is to be adopted by the council, as well as provision of land for the construction of a new three-form county first school to replace Wimborne First School.

As part of the Section 106 planning agreement, Bloor Homes will provide around £7.5 million in funding towards primary school and secondary education, highway infrastructure improvements in Wimborne and Colehill, funding towards sports and community facilities and the construction of a pedestrian bridge across the River Allen.

Campaigners battling the scheme have previously said the development will be effectively "a new town of its own".

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.

Luke Southgate, regional sales director at Bloor Homes Southern, said: “We are pleased to have acquired the land for our proposed development in Wimborne, which is a vital step in bringing the scheme to fruition.

“The site is positioned in a highly attractive and sustainable location in the countryside, perfectly located close to the River Allen and only a ten minute walk from the town centre.

"The development will be the largest new build scheme within Wimborne for many years and we are delighted to be delivering much-needed private and affordable housing for the area.

“We have submitted detailed planning application for the scheme and subject to planning approval, we hope to start work on site in the spring.”