REVISED plans have been unveiled for a new 50-home development in Sturminster Newton.
The outline plans put together by Clifton Emery design on behalf of South West Strategic Developments Limited seek permission to build up to 50 houses on land east on Manston Road, which is currently undeveloped land.
40% of the homes – 20 – would be affordable. Seven two-bed, 24 three-bed, 14 four-bed houses and five two-bed flats have been proposed.
The latest application follows previously refused plans for 52 properties which were also turned down at appeal earlier this year, as the inspector said it would cause significant harm to the landscape character of the Rixon and Eastern Fringe area.
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But the applicant has now said that no weight was given to the upcoming shortfall in Dorset Council’s five-year housing land supply in the inspector’s decision, citing an increase to housing need in the county.
Access to the site has been proposed from two points along Manston Road, with a T-junction to the south and a secondary access point to the north west.
“The current application responds directly to the issues raised in the 2025 appeal decision, with a revised layout, reduced scale, and enhanced landscape-led design approach,” the plans said.
“The social benefits of the scheme are many and varied including the dwellings proposed with a mix of houses sizes, types and tenures, which ensures the creation of a mixed and balanced community.
“The development will also deliver much needed homes that will help Dorset Council address its serious five-year housing land supply deficit, meet its overall housing requirement and provide 20 affordable homes towards requirements that are not being met in full, where there are already 6,711 households on the housing register waiting for affordable housing, and this number will likely grow over time.”
To view and comment on the plans, search reference P/OUT/2025/06076 on the planning section of Dorset Council’s website.
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To build in this area would seriously destroy a view I have loved since moving to Sturminster Newton – the swathe of countryside from the Shaftesbury direction right across to Piddles Wood. I often stop by the field gate on Manston Road to gaze at it. I know this is a personal opinion, but I’m sure I am not alone. The Inspector was right about the significant harm such a development would cause to the landscape character of the Rixon and Eastern Fringe area.
Also, the applicant has no right to cite the need for more new housing, since Sturminster Newton is currently undergoing a number of developments – surely enough is enough for this small town? Do these developers ever consider the problems they are adding to the already over-stretched medical services, schools, sewerage et al? I doubt it.
Why rape even more of the precious green belt purely for the sake of personal profit?
How about building some one bedroom bungalows for older people in need.
Please sort the infrastructure out before building even more houses in Sturminster Newton, a Bypass is now needed desperately…..
also, apparently, the houses being built ( that have totally wrecked the privacy and views of many on Elm Close) are not selling, as is the case near North Fields, please don’t build on more agriculture land, grow food!!!!
Developers advertised “ move into a quiet old market town” well, where did that go??