AN outline application for a 9-home development off Edmondsham Road, Verwood has been refused by Dorset Council.

The application for ‘in principle’ consent had been submitted by the Land Promotion Group for the half-hectare plot for nine bungalows and 18 parking spaces.

Dorset Council leader Spencer Flower, whose ward the proposal is in, wrote to the authority’s planning team to say: “I am raising an objection to this application. I believe the land in question is outside of the village envelope and therefore inappropriate development in the green belt.”

Verwood Town Council raised a similar objection if the site was ruled to be in the Green Belt, which planning officers decided it is.

Several neighbours had also objected claiming it would add to traffic problem, would look out of place, be detrimental to wildlife and that the homes already agreed at Potters Wood was more than enough for the area.

A planning case officer concluded: “Owing to its impacts on Green Belt and character of the area, the proposal is considered to be unacceptable, having regard to local and national policy and is not outweighed by other considerations.

“Further to this, the application fails to accord with national and local policy on a number of other additional material planning considerations, including:- highways safety; impact on a public right of way; and flood risk concerns.”