A HOUSING association plan for 14 ‘affordable’ homes off Webbers Piece on the northern side of Maiden Newton has been approved.

The triangular plot includes space for 28 parking spaces, four for people with disabilities.

Ten of the homes will be 2-bed and four 3-bed, most of two storey design although also including two single storey bungalows.

The site is to the east of Cattistock Road and outside the development boundary of the village, although immediately adjacent to it and is being allowed as a ‘housing exception’ site because of local need.

Once built the development will be accessed to the south eastern corner leading from Webbers Piece.

Planners were told that with over 2,100 household on the housing register for the former West Dorset district council area the scheme will offer much-needed homes, including the two wheelchair-accessible bungalows.

Maiden Newton parish council supported the application saying that affordable homes were needed to keep families in the village.

The application attracted more than twenty letters expressing concerns about the site access, extra noise and pollution and privacy for existing homes, the impact on wildlife and the fact the site is outside the development boundary and within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Dorset Council planners decided that any potential problems were outweighed by the benefits the scheme would bring.