Word has it there’s a development in the pipeline for more houses on crucial green space, but locals say they’re being misled…

A controversial proposal for seven houses has been made for land behind the Old Ox Inn in Shillingstone. This has been met by firm resistance from local residents, as well as by opposition from the Parish Council. However the developer, Montpellier Land and Developments, and the landowner suggest that they have the broad support of the local community. Many villagers are outraged, especially neighbours of the development, who received an extremely poor consultation about the plans and none of their feedback implemented.

The site in question was identified in the Shillingstone Neighbourhood Plan (SNP) in 2016 and allowed up to three dwellings (which have already been built) as well B&B accommodation to provide additional income for the pub to secure its long-term viability. The SNP was confirmed by village referendum in 2017 and subsequently adopted by the District Council.

The Parish Council held an extra-ordinary planning meeting on Tuesday 14 June, which attracted a large and representative audience, highlighting the strength of feeling held by villagers about the planning proposal and its potential damage to a much-loved community asset.

Locals voice their opposition

Focus surrounded the dangers of the proposed access junction onto the busy Blandford Road (A357), one of several notorious blindspots throughout the village; it is only a short distance away from where a near-fatal accident befell one of the neighbours only a few years ago. The proposed access road, running up the left side of the pub, will be a hazard for both vehicles and pedestrians alike.

The proposal dramatically reduces the amount of green space available to the Old Ox, reducing the beer garden to a shady 10% of its current size. Of major concern was the number of mature trees that were to be felled under the scheme, drastically changing the character of this part of the village. The plans suggest there are 16 trees across the total site, but as many as six of those belong to neighbouring properties.

The density of this development and consequential lack of green space given to the growth of trees is a heightened concern of flood risk. The character design and height of the planned houses was also of concern, with no indication of renewable energy sources which contravenes Government Sustainability Plans, which is also upheld in the North Dorset Local Plan.

Preserving the heart of the village

The Old Ox Inn sits in a conservation area, as well as being protected under policy 3 of the SNP for the need to maintain a green corridor to Hine Town Lane. It was made clear that this would be breached as the rear paddock would be reduced considerably, and the “green corridor” and footpath would be achieved by felling trees and putting in a tarmac access road.

This much-loved pub is the social heart of the village, hosting an array of events, raising money for a variety of charities as well as supporting local sports teams, clubs and organisations. A pub is typically a place of community and of historical importance to a village. The loss of land at the pub will severely affect the community detrimentally and the village heritage.

Most villagers are hoping that the Local Planning Authority at Dorset Council will put the welfare of the village ahead of the interest of the developer.

By Milly Suter