A CONTROVERSIAL development of a food store, café and up to 120 homes in Marnhull will go ahead after being approved by a planning inspector.

In recent months, a bitter row has erupted in the village over plans – submitted by landowner and village farmer Paul Crocker – for land west of Church Hill, known as Tess Square, and off Butts Close and Schoolhouse Lane.

The scheme would also see other commercial buildings developed, as well as a new parking area for St Gregory’s Church and the nearby primary school, which Mr Crocker told your New BV would “help future generations” stay in the village.

Yet Dorset Council refused permission for the development in July 2024, a decision appealed by Mr Crocker, with some opponents in the village raising funds for representation at the hearing.

However, after hearing evidence on April 8 in Dorchester, planning inspector Jonathan Bore allowed the appeal, meaning the development can go ahead.

As a result, the decision said, “full planning permission is granted for a mixed-use development on land west of Church Hill to erect a food store with café, plus office space and two flats above; to erect a building for mixed commercial, business and service uses, to form vehicular and pedestrian accesses and parking; to form a parking area for St Gregory’s Church and St Gregory’s Primary School; to carry out landscaping works and associated engineering operations; and to demolish redundant agricultural buildings”.

It added: “Outline planning permission is granted for the erection of up to 120 dwellings on land off Butts Close and Schoolhouse Lane, with all matters reserved except for access; at land West of Church Hill and land Off Butts Close and Schoolhouse Lane, Marnhull.”

The inspector’s decision said there were two ‘main issues’ in the case; whether Marnhull is an appropriate location for the development, and the impact on the character and appearance of the village.

Shops and business units will be part of the scheme in Marnhull. Picture: Bright Space

Mr Bore wrote in his conclusion: “The position is one of very high identified housing need. There is no up to date
spatial strategy that responds to this position, no up to date policy that establishes the amounts of development to be apportioned to different locations in the light of this need, and no prospect that a new local plan will be adopted until 2027.

“The position is serious. The scheme would provide much needed housing, including affordable housing, against this background.”

He said the “scale of both the housing development and the retail and commercial parts of the scheme would not be out of character with Marnhull”.

“Part of Church Hill would become more commercial but the character of the great majority of the village would be unaffected,” he went on.

Mr Bore also highlighted how the scheme would “provide a useful range of facilities walkable from the whole village”.

READ MORE: Campaign launched against 120 homes plan for Marnhull
READ MORE: Plan for 120 homes, shop, cafe and more in Marnhull revealed

“Along with the proposed housing, it would have the advantage of creating a balanced development rather than simply a housing extension to the village,” he said.

“It would help to retain trips within Marnhull, and this together with the improvements to the footpath network would encourage walking rather than the use of the motor vehicle.”

The impact on transport and traffic “would not result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or severe residual cumulative impacts on the road network”, he added.

“It must be stressed that this decision has been reached on the basis of a level balance of planning considerations and the straightforward merits of the proposal,” Mr Bore concluded.

After the decision was issued, MP Simon Hoare (Conservative, North Dorset), reiterated his previous opposition to the scheme, saying he was “very disappointed”.

“I continue to believe that the proposal is out of scale for the siting, needs and character of the village,” he said.