A decision to zone an area of Beaminster for a new housing development has been described as ‘extraordinary’.

Residents are being urged to go to a drop-in session next week to find out more about the plan to create 70 new homes and a play area on land off Hollymoor Lane.

The proposed West Dorset District Council new Local Plan which sets out long term planning strategy, also includes land to the north of Broadwindsor Road for 120 homes and employment land and employment development off Tunnel Road at Lane End Farm.

Beaminster town and county councillor Rebecca Knox has asked planners to “apply some commonsense” to their suggestions for where development could take place.

“People do accept that there is a need for housing, particularly affordable housing and if you looked at the land in question at Hollymoor Lane, on its own it looks okay,” she said.

“But people who know this street find it extraordinary to think that you could even start building up there. The lane is tiny. Woodswater Lane has a ford which is often flooded which would have to be a main access."

West Dorset District Council is holding the consultation session at the Public Hall in Beaminster next Tuesday, March 5, from 1pm to 7pm.