SEVEN new homes, a café and a workshop could be built at a garden centre near Gillingham.

Plant World has applied for permission to develop land adjacent to the business, in Milton on Stour.

Two applications have been submitted to Dorset Council, by Brimble Lea – one for seven new homes, another for a café and a workshop building.

“The application seeks full planning permission to develop a café within a single storey L-shaped building and a separate rectangular workshop building,” the application said.

“Both buildings will have timber clad walls underneath a pitched slate roof.

How a new cafe at Plant World in Gillingham might look. Picture: Adlem & Kemp/Dorset Council

“Access to the proposed development will be derived from a new vehicular access off the B3092 and a private road which also serve the existing nursery.

“The existing access to the nursery will be closed as part of the proposal.”

Plant World, a family-run garden nursery, has been “gradually developed” over the last 30 years, the application said.

The application detailing the new homes outlines plans for the development of a plot of around 0.25 hectares in the south west corner of the site.

The homes would consist of four open-market dwellings – two four-bed and two three-bed properties – as well as a terrace of three two-bed starter homes, a type of affordable housing.

A terrace of two-bed starter homes are also part of the plans. Picture: Adlem & Kemp/Dorset Council

“All seven dwellings will be two-storey, with natural stone walls underneath pitched plain tile roofs,” it said.

“Each dwelling will have a private amenity area and space for parking.”

Access to the homes would also come from the new route off the B3092.

The applications – references P/FUL/2024/01782 and P/FUL/2024/01781 – will now be considered by Dorset Council. Log on to dorsetcouncil.gov.uk for more details and to comment on the applications.