PLANS to allocate land on the edge of Dorchester for a major housing development look set to proceed despite strong opposition.

Consultation on a proposal to include land to the south east of the county town known as Came View attracted a number of concerns from local residents.

However, the area still looks set to be included in the West Dorset and Weymouth Local Plan as council officers have recommended it be approved by councillors.

The number of homes allocated for the site in the draft local plan has been reduced from 1,000 to 850 but opponents to the scheme say key issues have still not been addressed.

A further 500 homes are also set to be allocated at Crossways, with officers highlighting two possible sites.

Concerns were raised by local residents about the impact of the Came View site on the cultural landscape enjoyed by writers Thomas Hardy and William Barnes with its associated tourism benefits as well as the environmental impact of the site and access fears.

A report that will be considered by councillors at West Dorset District Council recognises ‘fundamental objections’ being raised to the site proposed near Dorchester, with the second phase of consultation attracting more than 2,000 comments.

It also notes comments from English Heritage and Natural England that suggests further work needs to be done to demonstrate that development on the site would not have a harmful impact.

However, the report adds: “Development at Dorchester would be located on the edge of the district’s largest employment, shopping and service centre, supporting its future role and vitality, and arguably developing at the most sustainable location.”

The recommendation states that development at Came View would be a follow on to development at Poundbury and therefore no homes would be likely to be in place before the early 2020s.

Mayor of Dorchester Andy Canning, who is a town, district and county councillor, said the reduction in the homes planned for the site made little difference as a number of key concerns about the site had still not been addressed.

He added: “It’s the principle outside the Dorchester bypass, once you start even on a small scale there will be no end to it.”

The report will be considered by West Dorset District Council’s policy scrutiny committee today before it is presented to the executive committee the following day.

The executive committee will be asked to approve an amended draft plan, which will then be publicly examined by an independent inspector.

WHILE opposition to the local plan looks set to continue in Dorchester, Crossways Parish Council said it was ‘heartened’ by the considerable reduction in homes now earmarked for the village from the original proposals.

Councillor Andrew Brewer said on behalf of the council: “The council and community were horrified by the initial allocation of 1,750 houses on three sides of the village. They considered that this would have a huge impact on Crossways. Since then the council has, in consultation with the electorate, worked very hard to put together a strong case for a sizeable reduction in this number. “They are therefore heartened that, unlike previous consultations the comments made have been noted and, it would appear, acted upon. There are those within Crossways who would like there to be no development whatsoever but the majority accept that, in reality, some building is inevitable. “We therefore will continue to work with our district colleagues and prospective developers to ensure that Crossways gets the best possible outcome.”