SIXTEEN new retirement homes could be built near the site of an ancient castle in Shaftesbury if district planning chiefs give proposals the green light at a meeting tomorrow.
Town councillors have recommended the scheme, in Shaftesbury’s historic Bimport thoroughfare, be refused.
Nearly 30 letters have been received at North Dorset District Council (NDDC), objecting to the proposal for eight houses and eight flats, close to the site of Castle Hill – a 12th century, earthwork castle.
NDDC’s conservation chiefs are backing new plans for the development after objecting to turrets in the original design, which, they said, gave it the appearance of “an upmarket theme park”.
The new designs have left district planning officers satisfied the dwellings would not have a negative impact on the area, which includes grade II listed buildings.
But local history experts with the Shaftesbury Civic Society said a three-storey building, part of the scheme, was out of keeping with the area, and would create traffic issues.
The public meeting is at NDDC’s planning committee headquarters, at 10am.
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