PLANS for more than 100 homes, a food shop and business premises in Marnhull have been submitted.
The “high quality” scheme would see two sites in the village developed – at a plot named Tess Square and in Butts Close.
The mixed-use development – which the application calls a “new community focal point” – known as Tess Square would feature the food store, two two-bed flats, 137 parking spaces, other business premises and 30 parking spaces for St Gregory’s Church and the primary school.
Meanwhile, at Butts Close, permission is being sought for up to 120 homes.
The scheme has been submitted by Chapman Lily Planning Ltd, on behalf of applicant, Paul Crocker.
“Marnhull evolved from several hamlets that conjoined over time to form the village we see today,” the application said.
“This has left the central part of the village open and surrounded by three dispersed centres containing public facilities.”
It went on: “Recently approved residential developments in and around the village will both need and support the proposed retail and commercial offers, and will be able to access and enjoy the newly-opened green spaces.”
Access to the proposed community centre would be off Church Hill, via the doctors’ surgery’s existing car park, the application said.
How the new “community focal point” in Marnhull could look. Picture: Bright Spaces/Dorset Council
“The proposed car park for St Gregory’s Primary School and St Gregory’s Church is also accessed off Church Hill, via a newly-created access point,” it went on.
“The proposed car park and connecting footpaths for St Gregory’s Church and school will provide new and safer parking and drop-off facilities for those buildings.”
Walking routes would be created linking the facilities, the plan said, as well as creating open spaces for dog walkers and exercise.
READ MORE: Plans for four new homes in Marnhull
“It is anticipated the appeal of the newly-accessible green spaces and the ‘draw’ of pedestrian and cyclists to those green spaces, will increase the footfall to the commercial centre businesses, thereby contributing to the commercial success of the proposed development,” it said.
At Butts Close, the application proposed 120 properties, consisting of 33 two-bed homes, 50 three-bed homes and 13 four-bed homes.
An indication of the possible layout of some 120 homes at Butts Close, Marnhull. Picture: Bright Spaces/Dorset Council
There scheme would also see 24 bungalows – six three-bed and 18 two-bed – built on the site.
The access to the site, through Butts Close, would be maintained, with a second access proposed off School House Lane.
Specific details of the homes’ design would be detailed in a future application.
For more details on the scheme, log on to www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference P/OUT/2023/02644.
A new food store is part of the plans for Marnhull. Picture: Bright Spaces/Dorset Council
This is not something the majority of the villagers support. There is no infrastructure in place to support an increase in numbers. We have few street lights or pavements, narrow roads and old houses with little foundations that won’t cope with such an increase in traffic. The doctor’s surgery is already finding it difficult to cope with the current number of villagers and the schools are full. The whole ethos of the village will be spoilt by such a development.
Both of the schools are very under subscribed. Both at around 50% capacity. The only reason two schools are still open is that they are both of different religious denominations. They both need more children to survive unfortunately Marnhull is dominated by older people.
Appalling plan to ruin the very soul of this village creating dangerous traffic down the very narrow Church Hill and Burton Street. Mr Crocker wants a Little Poundbury, we don’t! So angry that a local landowner can dictate how HE thinks the village should develop. This plan must be rejected!
Absolutely agree. This is not something the village wants or needs. It would ruin the very soul of this beautiful village. So angry that one landowner thinks he can dictate how our village should develop. This development must be rejected
Having a son that goes to one of the schools in Marnhull, I would love it to flourish more as I can assure you that the school is not full, considering 3 year groups have had to go into one year group as there’s not enough students to justify singular classes. However the concern I have around this is the roads access and the prices of homes. As a young couple with a child we found it very hard to find a property within our price range, hence we had to go to the nearest town, as prices in the village are so high. My other issue is roads; the roads in and around marnhull are very much one car at a time, and don’t get me started on the road by the post office. I am pretty sure in the highway code states that you should not park on a blind bend. The traffic is the main issue, I think for this particular development and that’s what would need to be addressed before any of this could go ahead. The doctor surgery is just one of the many 3 that are in the Blackmore Vale partnership and I have had no issue booking appointments there. I believe that this is more of a GP issue than residential issue, as like many surgeries they are all struggling. I do however believe marnhull residents have to accept a degree of change otherwise they will loose a lot more.
Marnhull is a village with character and old country charm that still pervades it. This is why the majority of the inhabitants chose to live here.
It runs well with the resources and infrastructure that it has at the moment. The current development plans (housing scheme yet to be implemented) will severely test the existing village infrastructure to the limit (narrow lanes etc).
In my opinion, it is NOT and never was cut out to be a town.
This is one last money making ego project for a greedy developer.
As a younger person in Marnhull
Tess Square would be good have as it would create part-time jobs for us to work.
Also it would make the village lively.
Just to reply to ‘the schools are full comment’,… this sadly is not true. One school is down to three classes out of a possible six (so about 80 children out of a possible 160 and the other is also at 50% ish capacity. This cannot be used as an argument I am afraid. Many of the children aren’t even from Manhull
This is fantastic news. It brings jobs, growth, and an increased tax base for the council to raise revenue. Bringing down prices is essential across the South of England, so steps like these are incredibly welcome, and I cannot wait to see spades in the ground!
This development will not bring down prices! Marnhull is a “cash cow” for developers, you’ve only got to compare prices of properties here with Gillingham or Sturminster. This development is for profit and greed, pure and simple, not for the good of the village. The roads are dangerous enough without the additional traffic this would bring. Enough is enough!
This is very good news for village and people in general to have more choice and fecelities for daily needs as well creates jobs for locals.
Most importantly good news for elderly people to have locally without having to travel far.
If this development doesn’t happen Marnhull which is already a dieing village will become a dead village. The polulation is ageing, schools will close due to no children and the ppst office/shop will go.
This is a necessary requirement for the future of Marnhull to thrive without question. There needs to be development for future generations and the Tess square is a must, we need the post office and shop in Tess Square. We cannot be limited in the development for future generations by the few who can’t think beyond their own needs.
Move on, hirry up and get on with this excellent project.