The Site
The site consists of a 9.71 hectare agricultural field of low ecological value, which lies on the northern side of Charminster, in a sustainable and suitable location for new homes.
Charminster offers a range of local facilities including St Mary’s C.E Primary School, Charminster Village Hall, Charminster Community Hall, a local shop and two pubs.
The site is outside the national landscape and Charminster Conservation Area. It therefore does not have any environmental designations that would prevent its future development.
To the west, the site is bounded by mature tree planting, beyond which is the boundary of the Charminster Conservation Area. The northern boundary contains mature tree planting with open countryside beyond. The site is bound to the east by the Westleaze/Old Sherborne Road.
There is a public right of way from the site’s southwest corner to the northwest corner of the site, which continues north following the River Cerne toward Charlton Down and south onto Vicarage Close.
The site is served by bus stops providing services between Yeovil – Sherborne – Charminster – Dorchester via the X11 service. Nearby Dorchester provides a wide range of services including local shops, supermarkets, banks, restaurants, schools and local healthcare facilities.
Dorchester’s two railway stations, Dorchester West and Dorchester South, providing Great Western Railway and South Western Railway services to Weymouth, Gloucester, Bristol and Bournemouth.
Planning Context
The Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes this Parliament. Councils must therefore allocate enough land in sustainable locations to meet their housing needs.
Dorset’s housing requirement is to deliver 3,246 homes every year, which puts significant pressure on the Council to find deliverable sites.
However, Dorset Council’s housing land supply shows a shortfall of almost 8,000 homes and the Council therefore needs to address this with deliverable, affordable homes in sustainable towns and villages.
Dorset Council has therefore identified Land North of Ellerslie Close in Charminster as an option for up to 140 new homes in their Local Plan consultation.
Outline planning process
We are preparing to submit an Outline Planning application to Dorset Council in Spring 2026.
An Outline Planning application seeks permission for the principle of development and sets out key parameters.
Should Outline Planning permission be granted, detailed proposals known as a Reserved Matters would be subject to a separate future planning application to be agreed with Dorset Council.
Our Outline Planning application will seek agreement of the following matters:
- Number of homes and extent of floorspace
- Maximum heights of buildings and density
- Landscape and open space strategy
- Vehicle and pedestrian access
Connected Facilities
Charminster Stores – 0.2 miles – 4 min walk
St Mary’s First School – 0.6 miles – 13 min walk
Charminster Village Hall – 0.5 miles – 11 min walk
Charminster Community Hall – 0.7 miles – 15 min walk
North Street Play Area – 0.6 miles – 13 min walk
The Three Compasses – 0.6 miles – 12 min walk
Opportunities and Constraints Plan
