78 HOMES could be built on the northern edge of of a Dorset village which could see its population significantly increase.
Applicant AJC Group is trying to develop an 8.8-acre field to the west of Castle Lane in Okeford Fitzpaine, near the recreational ground, and has now submitted a planning application to Dorset Council.
This comes after a consultation was launched about the plans, which your New Blackmore Vale previously reported on.
The new homes, if approved, would sit north of the newly built AJC Group homes at Commerwicke. The developer has proposed building 66 houses and 12 flats.
The houses would be a mix of 21 two-bed, 39 three-bed and six four-bed houses and the flats would feature four one-beds and eight two-beds.
40% of the homes would be classed as affordable – the policy required level.
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Access to the site has been proposed from Castle Lane into the northeast section of the development, and a pedestrian link has been proposed between this development and Commerwicke.
The site as it looks now Picture: Google
Main concerns raised through consultations with the public include the impact on the local infrastructure, exacerbating the already existing difficulty residents face in accessing healthcare, GPs and dentists and the loss of green spaces.
“The proposals provide good quality living accommodation in a well-considered and high-quality residential environment,” the plans said.
“Residents will occupy well-designed, good-sized properties with allocated parking, private garden areas to the houses and access to an abundance of open space for all properties.”
A New Blackmore Vale reader, John Woollen, previously questioned why this “lovely little village” is facing expansion plans.
He said: “[There is] 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.”
Okeford Fitzpaine Parish Council is encouraging residents to have their say on the plans.
They said: “The more specific people can be, the better, as it helps the planners see what else needs to be considered and changed.
“Rest assured, the parish council will be discussing this application and will be giving a response at the next parish council meeting.
“We are also aware that new housing targets are about to be imposed with the new government directive, and this will include Okeford Fitzpaine.”
To view the plans in full, visit the planning section of Dorset Council’s website and search reference P/FUL/2025/03574.
Feedback can also be left on the Castle Lane development website – click here.
Click here for more planning news from your New Blackmore Vale.
This village has been expanded enough, only facility is the village shop/post office. Will totally spoil the village. Enough is enough.
Think we Need more social housing not affordable , local people cant afford the mortgages as first time buyers , they need good quality homes of 3/4 to rent .
totally agree it’s social housing the villages need not affordable
the infrastructure all around the area needs to be improved and schools need to be built and nhs services need to be drastically improved
No,no existing services for dentists, health care,schools enough said
This is a gross overdevelopment. No, no, no.