A DEVELOPER has agreed to construct a footpath linking a Dorchester road with Thomas Hardye School as long as they get permission for five new homes.

Residents of James Road and Treves Road had feared that an unofficial footpath linking them with the school and Queens Avenue would be lost forever if new homes were built.

West Dorset District Council had already granted permission for four homes on the land west of James Road.

Now developer APC homes has applied for permission for five homes on the site and has offered to build a new path as part of the development.

Principal planning officer at the district council Andrew Martin is recommending that members of West Dorset District Council's development control east committee approve the plan subject to the obligation of building the path.

In his report to the committee on Thursday Mr Martin said that it was hoped that Dorset County Council as the highways authority would adopt the path but if it does not then the developer will be asked to contribute £5,125 in lieu of open spaces on the site instead.

The report also considers concerns from some residents that there was not enough parking on the site and it would add to existing congestion. But Mr Martin said that he did not believe there would be an increased demand for on-street parking because the development includes 12 spaces for five houses.

He said: "This redevelopment of previously used land is encouraged by government advice. The local highway authority has not objected to the scheme and the level of parking is considered acceptable in the context of West Dorset District Local plan.

"Adoption of the path across the site is judged to be an acceptable contribution towards the requirement for public open space," he said.

Residents of both Treves Road and James Road mounted a campaign in the summer to save the path. They organised a site meeting with West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin and bombarded councillors with letters opposing the proposed closure.