Plans to build more than 30 new homes within a protected landscape are set to go before councillors next week.

Developers Stonewater Ltd have submitted a proposal for 36 homes on land next to Windsor Close in Mosterton, within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Axe Valley Hills Landscape Character Area.

Outline planning permission was refused by West Dorset District Council, but granted on appeal, according to a report set to go before the planning committee on Thursday, February 15.

The proposal councillors will decide upon is for full planning permission for 10 two-bedroom, 17 three-bedroom and one four-bedroom houses, as well as eight bungalows. The submitted plans state 15 properties will be shared ownership, 12 will be rented and nine will be open market properties.

Mosterton Parish Council has strongly opposed the plans, raising concerns that it is in conflict with the Local Plan, there would be additional traffic, sewerage issues and that it is ‘not sustainable in environmental or economic terms’.

In a letter included in the report, the parish council said: “The development brings no long-term employment benefit to the area, and the area has no employment opportunities for the c96 residents that would move into the proposed development.

“The major development would however cause significant demonstrable damage to the immediate AONB environment and local area.”

Around 45 residents also raised objections, citing concerns over the lack of infrastructure, limited bus service and increased parking problems.

A petition of 70 signatures against the plans was also received. West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin also lent his voice to those opposing the plans, writing in a letter to the district council: “I hope the district council will take full account of the views of the parish council about the intensity of this development.”

But councillors will also hear that the development will help towards providing much-needed affordable homes.

A statement from the Dorset Councils Partnership housing enabling team to the planning committee reads: “There is evident housing need in West Dorset and affordable housing is important to communities, particularly rural ones, where earning levels are substantially lower and average house prices are higher than in urban areas.”

The teams added: “It will assist in meeting the need for affordable housing in the district and assist with the long term sustainability of the village.

The committee meets at South Walks House in Dorchester.