A PROPOSAL for 40 affordable homes in Beaminster has been submitted to West Dorset District Council by Spectrum housing association.

If approved, 22 two and three-bedroom social rented houses and 18 one-and two-bedroom social rented flats would be built at land to the north of Flaxfield Rise in Beaminster.

The proposed site is a field owned by Magna housing, and was intended to form phases two and three of the Flaxfield Rise development.

That development currently consists of 15 affordable homes built by the housing association five years ago.

The scheme was passed to Spectrum and is now being developed to meet increased demand for affordable housing.

At present, 69 households with a Beaminster connection are waiting on the new housing register, but this number is expected to rise.

The design and access statement for Spectrum’s plans describes the site as a ‘rare opportunity to be able to provide affordable homes in a town where there is a local need, which is situated with other affordable housing, and is viable without requiring excessive amounts of public subsidy.’ It continues: “When the applicant met with Beaminster New Futures Group the alternative sites indicated in the draft local plan were discussed, but given public reaction to the Hollymoor Road site and the size and location of the alternative site in Broadwindsor Road, these were considered to be less desirable sites for affordable housing.”

As part of the proposals, trees would be planted throughout the site and it would include a central green space, and 56 car parking spaces, and on top of those 63 bicycle spaces would be provided.

In Spectrum’s application, the housing association said it was committed to using ‘locally-sourced’ materials where possible.

It said the homes would be built of brick and stone, render and wood-cladding in a range of layouts called Bramble, Holly, Heather, Mulberry and Elder.

Town and district councillor Janet Page said of the plans: “I’m delighted (to see the application submitted) as this is an exceptional site – because it’s outside of the local plan it all has to be affordable housing.

She added: “I’m sure it will make a difference to the Beaminster residents who are waiting for housing.

“At one time the housing waiting list was huge and although we have the new list system, I’m sure the numbers of people on the housing list will rise again.

“The decision is up to the councillors but it would be sad if it didn’t go through.”

Spectrum said it had already consulted with both Beaminster Town Council and West Dorset District Council, and held a public consultation in October last year as part of the application process.

The plans can be viewed by visiting dorsetforyou.com/planning/west-dorset.