Corfe Mullen homes on green belt land approved

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build nine ‘affordable’ homes on green belt land on the edge of Corfe Mullen have been approved by councillors.Members of the eastern area planning committee of Dorset Council approved the application after hearing that issues raised at an appeal for a previous proposal had been resolved.The move was made despite more than 123 objections to the scheme being submitted and concerns from residents about the suitability of the site at Pardys Hill.East Boro Housing Trust had a previous application refused – a decision supported at appeal – due to concerns about surface water flooding and the lack of a legal agreement securing the houses as ‘affordable’.In response, it reduced the application from 12 to nine homes and has since completed the document for the houses “in perpetuity”.Despite the changes, people living in the village opposed the scheme said the steep hill was “not the right site” for the homes.The level of opposition prompted the application to be considered at Wednesday’s meeting of the committee with council planning officer James Brightman recommending it be approved.And, speaking at the meeting, trust chief executive Kevin Hodder said there was a requirement for more affordable housing in the village.Parish councillor Duncan Sowry-House said they were working to identify suitable sites for such developments but that Pardys Hill’s steep slope made it impractical.Despite his concerns and those of other residents, councillors agreed to approve the application.Cllr Mike Dyer said although he thought the site was not ideal, the planning inspector had felt it was suitable and it was likely that if they refused the application it would be overturned at an appeal.Seven members of the committee voted in favour of granting planning permission with one against.