A DECISION on plans to build 30 homes in Milborne St Andrew is set to be made tomorrow.

North Dorset District Council’s planning committee is being recommended to grant permission for the development off Huntley Down.

However, villagers and the parish council have opposed the scheme, which has been submitted by Wyatt Homes, raising concerns about its impact on existing residents' privacy and its density.

The proposal includes provision of 12 affordable homes which a report to the planning committee describes as “a significant benefit” which “would help to address local needs housing in the short term”.

Planners at the council have also warned that a lack of developments planned in the district “makes it much more difficult to defend speculative development proposals”.

However, writing to the district council, Milborne St Andrew Parish Council clerk, Colin Hampton, raised “significant concerns” with the scheme.

“The potential for overlooking and loss of privacy is considered to be a significant concern and one that has not been adequately addressed or examined in the submitted planning documents,” he said.

The council also raised concerns about the potential for flooding in the village as a result of the development and the density of the development.

“If the developer is willing to address the reasons for objecting to the application, or at least work with the parish council to mitigate the concerns raised, then the council would be in support of the proposed development going ahead,” the letter adds.

Objections to the application have also been submitted by 20 members of the public, with only two comments lodged in support.

However, in a report to the planning committee, councillors are being recommended to grant permission for the latest scheme.

“There has been no particular issue raised either with this site or the proposed residential development that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of delivering 12 affordable housing dwellings and 18 open market dwellings,” the report says.

“No particular policies have been identified that would restrict development of this site for residential purposes.”

The application will be considered at tomorrow's (July 24) meeting of the committee.