THE final details of a 305-home development in Wimborne have been unanimously approved by councillors.

Members of East Dorset District Council’s planning committee backed the ‘reserved matters’ application for Barratt David Wilson Homes’ Leigh Road scheme on Wednesday.

Outline permission for the development was granted by the council last year although details including how the site will be laid out and landscaped was resolved in this separate set of proposals.

Alongside the houses, the site, which is one of the key areas earmarked by the council for development, will include space for a convenience store and a public open space.

Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting, Stuart Goodwill, the developer’s head of planning, said: “The scheme has been carefully designed following public consultation with the local community and detailed discussions with your [council] officers.

“Great care has been taken to ensure the proposed scheme responds to the character of the area whilst meeting the requirements of the adopted policy.

“We are committed to ensuring that this is a high quality development that we can all be proud of and that will become a benchmark for the future.”

Of the 305 homes, 28 per cent (85) will be affordable while the developer will also make an estimated £1.7 million contribution towards school provision as well as £1.5 million for 80 years’ maintenance to the open space area.

Seven letters of objection from residents had been submitted to the latest application, although council planning officer, Robert Thain, had recommended that councillors give their approval.

Committee members unanimously backed the recommendation and granted permission.

Cllr Derek Burt said: “Having seen pictures, which are very realistic of what it’s going to look like, I don’t have a problem and I think it’s going to be an interesting development.

“It’s nice to see it come forward for approval and one hopes that all the other parts will come to pass as well.”

The site is part of the south of Leigh Road neighbourhood allocated in the council’s core strategy for development in Wimborne.