Maiden Newton homes plan anger after appeal lodged

Simply Town Planning Ltd wanted to build 20 homes on land at Maiden Newton.

This plan was refused, but a revised plan for nine houses was approved by West Dorset District Council (WDDC).

However, the developer wants to go ahead with 20 houses and has lodged an appeal against the refusal.

The appeal has prompted West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin to write to the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of residents.

In his letter, Mr Letwin writes: ‘I note that the application, unlike the subsequent application for nine dwellings, was rejected by WDDC on the grounds that it lies outside the Defined Development Boundary, would have an unacceptable impact on the character of the area and would not contribute to the provision of affordable housing.’

Submitted by Mr Ian Sargent and Simply Town Planning Limited, the proposed site is near to the water meadows.

The original plan was for 20 houses, with access via Cattistock Road.

This then went down to 16 houses with access via Manor Farm Road, and eventually permission for nine houses was granted.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It [20 homes] would be carnage. It is bad enough with nine homes.

“The council, at the last meeting, had access to a number of documents which stated this, and they just totally ignored the lot.

“It’s upsetting. Nine we will deal with but 20 is ridiculous.

“They [the developers] clearly want to make as much money as possible, but they don’t live in the village, they don’t know the effect this would have.”

The resident also said access via Cattistock Road would be ‘an accident waiting to happen.’

More than 100 letters of objection were sent to WDDC to the approved plan for nine dwellings, citing access, natural habitat and the need for affordable housing as issues.

The Planning Inspectorate is due to hear the appeal on 20 dwellings on February 14.

The News has attempted to contact the developer but they have not come back to us.