MORE than 100 homes can be built at the edge of Shaftesbury following the approval of plans.
Persimmon Homes has been given the green light by Dorset Council to build 107 houses on land south of the A30 Salisbury Road in Shaftesbury.
The houses would form part of a wider development, with Persimmon already granted permission to build 55 houses to the west of the site.
Both developments would share an access onto the A30.
As part of this wider development, Persimmon would also provide land for a new school in the future as well as “flexible commercial uses” which will form a care home, a hotel and non-food retail units.
Persimmon originally planned to build 135 houses but reduced this down to 107 following concerns surrounding the proposed layout.
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The houses would be a mix of two, three and four bed houses and bungalows which would include 34 “affordable” units comprising of 24 affordable rent and 10 discount market units with some shared ownership.
The plans were approved at a meeting of the Northern Area Planning Committee at Dorset Council on Tuesday (November 5).
Shaftesbury has reached its limit
In a written submission, Melbury Abbas and Cann Parish Council raised concerns the infrastructure in Shaftesbury would not be able to cope with the impact of new houses.
“There are not enough Drs and dentists available to man the existing practises,” it read.
“Where are all these people going to work? All will need to use their cars as public transport is near non existent – so much for saving the planet.”
It added: “With a minimum of 1,048 new houses built in the last 20 years I think Shaftesbury has reached its limit.”
Ben Walker, speaking on behalf of Persimmon at the meeting, said they have been working with Dorset Council so that the scheme “meets the local needs of the area” and will provide a mix of starter homes for first time buyers as well as larger family homes.
“Approximately £700,000 will be invested into local services and infrastructure… primarily in health services and local schools,” he added.
Unbelievable what is going on.No one cares about the bigger picture.No bus service that can be relied on,trains unreliable and too much heavy traffic allowed on narrow roads .No bus shelters that may encourage more use if buses were more often .Hundreds more people and no more doctors,dentists,schools etc.So sad how communities are being ruined and can never be replaced.
Dorset council have reduced parking facilities in the town since the closure of the cattle market and all they are interested in is to increase their income from their extortionate rates to line their pockets without any improvement to local infrastructures . They are disgusting
There has to be sensible consideration given to town planning and infrastructure given in the building of new homes anywhere . Of particular concern are medical and dental practices , pharmacy services and hospital specialist waiting lists for existing Shaftesbury residents . I guess the horse has already bolted , but if anything can be done to reconsider local infrastructure including parking , dentists , services I have already mentioned then PLEASE do so – that is what good town planning is and what it should be . It is not just building houses . There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of wider thinking on these issues .