COUNCILLORS have recommended plans for an affordable housing development in Beaminster are refused.

Spectrum Housing want to construct 22 two and three-bedroom social rented houses and 18 one-and two-bedroom social rented flats on land to the north of Flaxfield Rise. But Beaminster Town Council have recommended the scheme is refused because of over-development and traffic concerns.

Members of the council's planning advisory and highways committee will ask planners at West Dorset District Council to refuse the application, but refer the scheme back to the original proposals - which were initially brought forward by Magna Housing Association.

Cllr Janet Page said: "It seems to me, after reading letters from people that live up there - it is over-development at the site.

"They are trying to pack in too many houses. I just feel that this is too much.

"This is an enormous amount of houses for quite a small site."

The development was intended to form phases two and three of the Flaxfield Rise development.

That development currently consists of 15 affordable homes built by Magna five years ago. The scheme was passed to Spectrum and is now being developed to meet increased demand for affordable housing.

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

Cllr Chris Turner said that although there is a huge need for affordable housing in the town, the proposed homes are too small for people to enjoy living in comfortably.

"We have nothing against building affordable housing in Beaminster" he said. "We desperately need affordably housing in Beaminster.

"But some of the gardens have a bigger footprint than the properties themselves.

"From the point of view of residents who are likely to live there, it would be very difficult, seeing the size of the properties, to actually have a decent quality of living."

Figures published by housing charity Shelter show just 26 properties in the whole of west Dorset are affordable for families who need at least two bedrooms. Read more on the housing crisis in west Dorset on page 18.