Technical planning Matters
Movement
Access to the proposed site could be achieved either from Ellerslie Close, York Close or from Old Sherbourne Road. All options are being considered through a through a Highways pre-application process with Dorset Council Highways.
There are no inherent highway safety concerns on the surrounding network, and traffic levels from the scheme are not expected to be significant.
We are investigating options to improve pedestrian and cycle accessibility from the site, which would benefit existing residents. This includes options to provide path improvements from the site to Vicarage Road, as well as to existing public rights of way via Mill Lane and Church Lane. These options are subject to further technical work with Dorset Council through a future planning process.
A robust Travel Plan will accompany any application, with measures to encourage walking, cycling, and public transport, alongside provision for electric vehicle and e-bike charging.
Environment
The site does not have any environmental designations that would prevent its future development and, unlike much of Dorset, sits outside the national landscape and Green Belt.
The site consists of a single field, representing low ecological value, with established hedgerows providing a strong natural boundary to the site.
The emerging masterplan would ensure that the loss of trees and hedgerows is limited to minimal clearance for safe vehicle access. The retention of the existing trees and hedgerows will enable a mature landscape context to screen the proposed development.
New native tree and hedge planting would enable a landscaped setting for new homes and enhance local biodiversity.
Public Open Space
A key element of the proposals is the provision of green publicly accessible open space to the north of the site on what is currently private land.
The open space will include planting of species-rich wildflower grassland for people to enjoy and to encourage biodiversity.
Circular walking routes, in the public open space and through the development, would connect with established walking routes outside of the site, and provide an attractive leisure opportunity.
Flooding
The site is located entirely within Flood Zone 1, meaning it has a low probability of flooding from rivers. Environment Agency mapping also shows negligible risk from surface water.
However, we are proposing a comprehensive drainage strategy to better manage surface water run-off.
This will incorporate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) such as basins, swales, rain gardens, and permeable paving. These features will ensure surface water is managed on site, reducing uncontrolled runoff and enhancing local resilience to rainfall, ensuring no increase in flood risk elsewhere.
Landscape Strategy
The proposed landscape strategy seeks to:
- Retain boundary planting along Old Sherborne Road, Public Right of Way DT/S14/2 and the site’s northern boundary, to screen the site and maintain wooded skyline.
- Restore native habitats of chalk grassland, ancient broad leaved oak woodland, and calcareous meadows.
- Planting of small oak, ash and hazel broadleaved woodlands.
- Appropriate buffers to protect all retained vegetation.
- Improve recreational links into the countryside from the proposed public open space and onto public rights of way.
- Maintain habitat connectivity to the adjacent Princes Plot nature reserve.
- Avoid development on upper slopes to protect open character to the north.
- New buildings to reflect the height of adjacent properties.
Ecology & Biodiversity
The majority of the site is of low ecological importance, comprising intensively managed agricultural grassland used primarily for silage production or occasional sheep grazing.
The hedgerows, trees and areas of scrub, largely on the site’s perimeter, are of ecological importance and will largely be retained. Whilst no significant loss of trees or hedgerow is anticipated, appropriate replacement planting would compensate any losses.
The proposals provide an opportunity to strengthen ecological value and deliver a net gain for biodiversity. Measures include:
Attenuation Features – Providing wet areas, seeded with a wetland wildflower mix that are great for birds and other wildlife.
Public Open Space – Species-rich wildflower grassland in the open space will complement existing field margins and offsite habitats.
New Planting – Native planting of new hedgerows and trees, particularly along the currently unbounded southern boundary, will improve habitat connectivity linking onsite and offsite habitats.