THE first phase of a 630 home development in Wimborne can begin after planners gave it the green light.

The Bloor Homes scheme for the 101 acre site off Cranborne Road, to the north of the town, was in March granted outline planning permission. It has also been accepted in principle.

As well as homes, the development will include a first school, community space, allotments and public parks. The school application is currently being considered by the county council.

Approval has now been granted for 64 homes at the site - the first of 318 on the part of the site east of Cranborne Road.

New infrastructure for this area, including access junctions, a spine road and school access road and sewerage, were all approved in September.

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

The site was earmarked for development in the district council's core strategy document as a preferred location for affordable housing.