OVER 200 new homes could be built in Verwood, although residents are concerned about the impact on the already ‘congested’ town.

At a planning meeting of East Dorset District Council on Tuesday (FEB 7), access arrangements for the development by Pennyfarthing Homes were given permission.

The scheme would see 230 properties, including affordable homes, built at two separate sites in Edmondsham Road – 64 flats and 123 houses would be located at the south-western section of the road, with nine flats and 34 houses at the north-eastern section.

Other matters, including the layout and appearance of the scheme, will be subject to further planning permission.

However, a number of residents, as well as Verwood Town Council, have objected to the proposal, citing overdevelopment of the site, congestion in the town and oversubscribed local services.

One resident said: “The village centre is already jammed every morning with commuters, buses and lorries unloading to the local shops. There are no real facilities and jobs at this end of Verwood. Schools, dentists and doctors surgeries are well oversubscribed.”

Horse riders have also objected to the proposal to convert a well-used bridleway in Eastworth Road into a footpath and cycle route.

Alison Connor said: “This bridleway enables horse riders, young and old, to get from the lovely off-road hacking around Dewlands Common via a couple of quiet lanes to the beautiful Ringwood forest. Removing such a bridleway will force these riders to chance their luck on the busy roads around Verwood.”

As part of the development, an area of SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace) is being proposed, part of which would encroach on green belt land.

Some residents have said the SANG is “unnecessary”, arguing the land is already open to the public, and creating it would harm wildlife species already living there.

A sustainability statement in support of the development said: “A range of sustainability measures will be incorporated into the detailed design of the proposed development to target the delivery of high quality, energy and resource efficient sustainable new homes.”

It added the scheme would include “well-designed, new homes and a high-quality development that is in keeping with the local character.”