CONTROVERSIAL plans to build more than 200 homes on green belt land in Wimborne are set to be approved.

Wyatt Homes’ application to develop land next to Julians Road, Cowgrove Road and the River Stour has been backed by council planning officers who are recommending that permission be granted.

The proposals will be determined by members of East Dorset District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday.

First submitted in early 2016, the application seeks permission to build 203 houses as well as an office block, café and a five-hectare parkland area.

About one-third of the homes would be classed as ‘affordable’ and, despite this being below the council’s 50 per cent target, a report to the committee describes it as ‘a valuable contribution’.

Wyatt Homes has also proposed setting aside 0.4 hectares of land for a future expansion to Victoria Hospital and to make a £1 million contribution towards school investments.

Wimborne Town football club’s ground would also be relocated as part of the plans, with the new facility being transferred to Wimborne Minster Town Council to manage.

Dozens of members of the public have submitted letters of objection to the scheme, raising a series of concerns including a lack of compliance with council policies and potential traffic issues.

Opposition has also been provided by the town council which described the proposed access to the site from Cowgrove Road as ‘wholly unsuitable’.

Despite this, a report to the district council’s planning committee says that the benefits of the scheme ‘significantly outweigh’ its negative impacts.

“It has been concluded that very special circumstances outweigh the harm to the green belt,” the report says.

“Having had regard to the representations of objection and support and the advice of the various consulted parties, officers consider that the benefits of the scheme significantly outweigh the impacts.

“Overall, the proposal represents sustainable development which accords with the current national planning policy guidance and local development plan.”

The application will be considered at Wednesday’s meeting of the committee.