TWO substantial developments providing a combined total of more than 1,500 homes in North Dorset have been submitted to council planners.

The separate schemes, which are both located just a few hundred yards apart in Gillingham, seek to provide up to 961 dwellings at land between Shaftesbury Road and New Road, and 634 dwellings on land at Park Farm, Kingsmead Business Park.

Plans for the larger scheme include provision for a new “local centre” containing retail, community, health and leisure uses, while the other development proposal features a primary school, floodlit sports pitches and play facilities.

Earlier this month, North Dorset District Council was celebrating after successfully bidding for more than £4m to help fund infrastructure for the Gillingham Southern Area Extension.

A detailed statement submitted alongside the outline application by applicants Welbeck Strategic Land LLP for 961-home scheme says: “This application represents a significant milestone in the delivery of the Gillingham Southern Extension; providing outline proposals for a large central portion of the wider site including the new local centre, a broad mix of housing and an extensive network of attractive green infrastructure.

“The proposals have been developed in accordance with the principles set out in the South Gillingham Master Plan Framework, and form a key component of its vision for a “comprehensively planned and delivered, sustainable mixed-use community that is both physically and socially integrated with the existing settlement”.

“The proposals are based on a thorough understanding of the existing context of the site and town, reflecting the aims of the Gillingham Town Design Statement, as well as the site-specific design principles and Concept Plan set out in the North Dorset Local Plan (NDLP).”

A statement as part of the 634-home development by applicants CG Fry & Son Ltd says: “The framework master plan demonstrates the opportunity to deliver a new neighbourhood providing much needed new homes, a primary school, sports provision and a connected network of green spaces and routes.

“Three broad character areas collectively provide the potential to create a new integrated community in accordance with the adopted policy guidance of NDLP Policy 21.”

The NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group requests a financial contribution be provided to fund the additional infrastructure, with a predicted population increase of 3,828 having a “severe impact” on resources in primary and community care.