CAMPAIGNERS have met with senior planners at Dorset Council to put forward their opposition to plans for more than a thousand homes in an East Dorset village with a population of just 3,000.

Alderholt has been allocated in the draft local plan for East Dorset for “a minimum of 1,000” homes.

However, the move has drawn heavy criticism from people living in the area who have described the decision as “outrageous”.

They have warned that if the development takes place then congestion could “significantly increase” and that nearby doctor’s surgeries are “already overloaded”.

The proposals have also been opposed by North Dorset MP Simon Hoare.

Shortly before its abolition at the end of March, East Dorset District Council agreed to ‘designate’ Alderholt allowing the parish council to begin work to create a neighbourhood plan.

Neighbourhood plans can guide development in the areas they cover and must be taken into account during planning decisions.

Campaign group Action4Alderholt was formed in response to concerns about the impact developing the southern and western edges of the village.

Its members met with Dorset Council planning officers Hilary Jordan and Trevor Warrick to discuss the proposals ahead of it having to develop its own local plan over the next few years.

“We felt that our arguments were taken seriously and the approach of producing an alternative local plan is the right one, coupled with the parish council developing a neighbourhood plan,” its chairman, Chris Walker, said.

“We are continuing to work towards a satisfactory solution to future housing in Alderholt whilst appreciating that it will take time for the new councillors and planners to settle in at the new unitary authority.”

He added that he felt the discussions had been helpful but “realistic” about challenges facing the new council which could mean building in “less sustainable” areas such as Alderholt.

The government requires both of the new unitary authorities in Dorset to create new local plans by 2024.