A DORSET village could significantly grow in population under new housing proposals.
Dorset-based developer AJC Group is looking to submit plans to build 78 houses on land to the north of Okeford Fitzpaine at Castle Lane.
The village had a population of less than 1,000 in the 2021 census.
Under these latest proposals, the village could grow by a further 156 people using a conservative estimate of two people per property.
AJC Group is looking to gauge residents’ views on their plans before it is submitted to Dorset Council.
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The plans would include six one-bed flats, four two-bed flats, 23 two-bed houses, 39 three-bed houses, and six four-bed houses.
The developer said at least 40% of these would be affordable.
The developer previously built the houses at Comerwicke Picture: AJC Group
AJC Group previously built the houses at Comerwicke in the village, and it says these homes are a perfect example of what they are looking to deliver.
The newly proposed development would sit just north of the Comerwicke development.
“Living in a village like Okeford Fitzpaine is a dream for many”
AJC Group says that the new homes could house people that are struggling to find accommodation in the village.
“Living in a village like Okeford Fitzpaine is a dream for many – the access to open spaces and green countryside is an opportunity that many new familes jump at,” an AJC spokesperson said.
They added: “Recently, we completed building the homes at Comerwicke which has now been occupied by 27 new families.
“The 27 new homes that we built were all affordable homes which have met the need for good housing at affordable prices here in Okeford Fitzpaine.
“This is the opportunity that so many look for, especially if they have grown up in or near the village.
“They could be your neighbour’s child buying their first house, or a school friend who’s young family has finally been able to move out of a rented flat into a home with a garden, or that key worker who does so much for the community and now can live much closer to work.”
The consultation is live now and can be viewed at www.castlelane-okefordfitzpaine.co.uk
Why oh why must this lovely village of ours be further blighted by the expansionist plans likely to be submitted and most likely be passed by our councillors, for a further 70 odd properties adjoining the Comerwick development. No mention of providing a primary school to the perfectly good one that was so arbitrarily closed, to accommodate all these new children who will undoubtably be housed in the” affordable “ housing. These aside from the children from the as yet unsold houses in Shillingstone Lane. No mention either regarding any new medical facilities being provided for the already overwhelmed practices in our adjoining villages. No mention of the need to seriously upgrade the services such as Water,Sewerage, Electricity . Access roads in and out of the village and the necessary parking which is such a major problem with the increase in HGV vehicles and large Agricultural vehicles using the high Street and Lower Street. The new access to the proposed site opposite the current football field should be a cause of concern because no amount of speed restraint signs will eradicate the problem. Finally, my answer to the proposal is a resounding NO