THIRTY-FIVE affordable homes will be provided as part of application for up to 100 in Beaminster.

The scheme, north of Broadwindsor Road, at the west end of the town, has been put together by the Bugler Trust.

West Dorset planning committee approved an outline application for the site on Thursday, delegating the details to the head of planning.

Access to the site will be from a new roundabout opposite the entrance to Buglers, agricultural equipment suppliers, with a new footpath linking into the existing one adjacent to St James.

Details submitted include an informal green space and an attenuation pond to the east end of the site and a 'village green' further west.

A mix of detached and terraced properties are planned for the site.

Councillors welcomed the scheme but some raised concerns about having a flood attenuation pond close to a play area with Cllr Stella Jones asking that it be fenced off to make it safe.

Town councillor Robin Cheeseman said there was support for the scheme but said that the local plan identified the area for both housing and employment.

He said it was important for the town to be able to offer both affordable homes and jobs.

Ward member Cllr Tony Alford said he welcomed the affordable homes and described the site as an important gateway into the town from Broadwindsor.

“Quality will matter on this site...a lot relies on the character of the town in attracting people to the town,” he said.

Planning officer Bob Burden said that a larger area had been identified in the local plan for housing and employment use and said that there was adequate land remaining for employment use as well as on another site to the north at Lane End Farm.

He said that it was recognised that the attenuation pond would need to be kept away from the children's play area. The committee heard that whether or not the pond was fenced off would depend on its depth.

There may have to be an archaeological investigation when work gets underway as the field is thought to have been occupied in the Iron Age.

In a pre-prepared statement from the district council Cllr Ian Gardner, West Dorset District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, said; “The approval of this outline application, once the full application has been agreed, will assist us in meeting the need for housing in our district.”

Cllr Tim Yarker, West Dorset District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, said; “The approval of more homes in the area is welcome. This development should deliver 35 much needed affordable homes, which will be eagerly awaited.”

“West Dorset District Council together with Weymouth & Portland Borough Council and North Dorset District Council, want to see 20,000 more homes built in the combined area by 2033 under the Opening Doors campaign. As part of this programme, we have opened a Home Ownership register. This is giving us real insight into the preferred type and location of housing wanted by residents. It also enables us to direct new homes to residents.  I would encourage anyone looking to own their own home to sign the register.”