FRESH plans to build up to 46 homes in Gillingham have sparked a wave of objections from residents concerned about traffic, pressure on services and the loss of green space.
An outline application submitted to Dorset Council seeks permission for up to 42 homes (P/OUT/2026/00955) on land south of Bay Road, including highways works, drainage, public open space and green infrastructure.
A separate but adjacent outline application for four homes (P/OUT/2026/01000) has also been lodged.
(Picture: Gillingham Town Council)
But many residents say the town is already struggling, pointing to struggling GP surgeries, pharmacy closures, flooding risks and a lack of public transport.
Darren Garrett said: “Gillingham is growing faster than the infrastructure and it’s not coping now.
“We need shops, doctors’, chemists. Bay Road will also not cope with the building lorries making it miserable for the ones that live there.”
Concerns about infrastructure were echoed by Zoe Roberts, who said: “No doctors appts, queues at chemists, senior school is bursting at the seams.
“Traffic is horrendous. Crime is rocketing. Enough! Stop! Respect what little green space is left and find another town to destroy.”
Hannah Forster added: “We already have houses built that are not sold. Our GPs and pharmacies are already struggling let alone the schools and transport.”
(Picture: Google)
A consultation is under way on the council’s website, where residents must comment on each application separately if they wish their views to be considered on both proposals.
Gillingham Town Council has also shared the plans via social media, encouraging the public to have their say.
This is yet another attempt to build on pasture land on the outskirts of Gillingham. This is land outside the Dorset Plan and for good reason. There are already too many houses being built in the area and local services are already struggling to cope with demand. The main reason why this development makes no sense is the narrow section of a busy Bay Road which the developers are planning to access the field from. It is literally a car width in size with limited passing places and restricted sight lines. There was a car crash on the bend where the proposed entrance is as recently as 3 months ago. I hope that the Council see’s sense and turns this application down.
Two public footpaths run through the middle of the site, these are regularly used by walkers. I presume these will remain. Public footpaths in England and Wales are protected by the Highways Act 1980, making it a criminal offence for landowners to obstruct them,
Bay Road is too narrow at this point for heavy traffic it’s just a lane! School children have to use it on foot to access the school
A care home is directly opposite and a one vehicle bridge just below in the route to town.
If this is passed it would be ludicrous! But then again what does Dorset council care about North Dorset they only bother with Bournemouth and Poole
If the access road is coming out onto the Bay Road, there are no footpaths, the traffic now is horrendous at times, driver’s going far too fast, there are families with young children living in the area. Whoever thinks of passing these plans obviously do not live around here and couldn’t care less. There are enough houses being built in Gillingham and not being sold. What about schools, G.P. Surgeries, shops. We no longer have a Bank.