PLANS to build up to 23 affordable homes on a field at the northern edge of Shaftesbury have been knocked back by Dorset Council.

Developer Hampshire Homes planned to build the homes on land north of Enmore Court, New Road, after it had its outline plans approved on appeal back in September 2021.

But now, a reserved matters application that tried to clarify previous concerns over pedestrian safety has been rejected by Dorset Council over concerns the latest plans would not be safe for road users.

Concerns have been raised about the lack of a pedestrian crossing for future residents to use to access New Road.

In the decision notice, Dorset Council said that while a development with 100% affordable homes is “widely welcomed,” the detail in the plans directly conflicts with local and national policy.

It said that the layout of the site has been heavily informed by the estate road design, which has resulted in a “poorly laid out proposal with poor permeability, little character or sense of place”.

The architectural quality of the designs was also criticised, with concerns the development would harm the attractiveness of the area.

They also said the layout of the estate road as proposed does not meet policy standards for public safety.

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This is due to narrow road widths within the first 30m of the access road, a lack of pavement serving safe access and egress from all properties, unsatisfactory traffic calming measures, an unacceptable gradient, and inaccurate swept path analysis for fire tender and refuse vehicles.

The site masterplan Picture: JPA

The notice reads: “Amendments to the estate road layout have not satisfied safety concerns from the Dorset Council highways officers, resulting in a development that is not considered to be safe for all road users.”

Shaftesbury Town Council, who objected to the plans, said the new plans do not remedy the lack of a safe pedestrian crossing and safe pedestrian access to New Road.

“Without either, pedestrian access to the town centre involves the crossing of and walking on a busy road, raising the potential of a road traffic collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle,” they said.

“Further, the proposed access will require not one, but two pedestrian crossings for residents of this development to access the town and due to the nature of this stretch of the B3081, both will be close to a sharp bend.

“The first crossing by the Lion’s Mouth will require residents to walk with their back to traffic on its approach to Shaftesbury – given the accidents that have happened on this bend, we urge Dorset Council to look again at the viability of this proposed access route.”

James Potter Associates (JPA), who put the plans together for Hampshire Homes, said that dedicated pathways have been allocated on the site to allow for safe movement of pedestrians and encourage alternative modes of transport.

They added: “A new housing development in this location will provide an opportunity for both young people and families to live and work in the local area and ensure that people of all ages have the accessibility and choice of a good standard of housing.”

To view the plans and the decision notice in full, search reference P/RES/2024/05119 on the planning section of Dorset Council’s website.