DORSET CPRE

There have been three large applications for new houses in the last six months. We supported the building of 25 well-designed houses and commercial premises at Okeford Fitzpaine on the site of the former chicken factory, an eyesore and previously a nuisance for the village. The new development will provide some new employment but not on an industrial scale and will be more suitable than the chicken factory for a village centre. At Mampitts Lane, Shaftesbury, we supported -in principle- the building of 47 houses on a brown field site but argued for improved quality design: some changes were made. At Charlton Marshall we supported a well-organised local group in opposing the building of 40 houses on an open space near the church. This is a village without a school, shop and other amenities. Councillors took note of concerns and the application was rejected on grounds of access, density, layout and scale. It was accepted that it would detract from the local Conservation Area and was contrary to important provisions of the Local Plan.

We are opposing development of an open space in the conservation area near the church in Okeford Fitzpaine. At Fittleford an overlarge development close to another house was suitably amended following representations, demonstrating the need to attend to detail, recognise local concerns and select the best option.

Our concerns over developments in AONBs continue with further applications for agricultural buildings at Woolland and Milton Abbas. The ease with which ‘agricultural’ development is permitted on the basis of need, which we frequently judge inadequate, continues to cause concern. John Holiday, from Woolland, is taking over responsibility for our relationships with AONB management and achieving improved protection from development. He and I are much appreciative of the help received from Peter Chance, CPRE agricultural adviser, in recent cases.

A major local event, widely celebrated, was the refusal of a revised application for four 120m high wind turbines at Silton by North Dorset District Council at a packed meeting in Gillingham on March 1st. An earlier application for 6 turbines was similarly refused. Provision of wind turbines was strongly opposed on grounds of local nuisance, damage to the landscape and lack of viability. 1743 letters opposing the application were received by the Council along with 22 of support. On 4th October 2011 an appeal was lodged with the Planning Inspectorate in respect of the Council’s refusal of the above-mentioned application 2/2010/0731/PLNG.  It will be dealt with by way of a Public Inquiry.

Dorset County Council is progressively reviewing and modernising street lighting in towns and villages and at the same time reducing power consumption through energy saving bulbs. However, despite its claims to have consulted widely with the public we have received complaints of poorly sited and intrusive lighting.

Useful links

Save our Silton wind turbines campaign

On 3rd May we held a The Dorset CPRE Open Day at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton.  We have been in touch with those members who are will to help with our campaigns. Thank you to everyone who returned the Skills Pro Forma.