The Eastern Area Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on 8 October 2025 to discuss two planning applications, one for a residential development in Lytchett Matravers, and another for an outline application in Stoborough. The committee will also review the minutes from their previous meeting.

Land East of Wareham Road, Lytchett Matravers

The committee will be considering a planning application for residential development on land east of Wareham Road in Lytchett Matravers. The application, submitted by Lewis Wyatt (Construction) Ltd, proposes the construction of 95 dwellings, along with new vehicular and pedestrian access onto Wareham Road, landscaping, and open space.

The officer's report notes that the site is an allocated site under the Purbeck Local Plan Policy H6, which designates the land for around 95 homes.

The proposed development includes:

• 1 x 1-bed apartment
• 1 x 2-bed apartment
• 37 x 2-bed houses
• 33 x 3-bed houses
• 20 x 4-bed houses
• 3 x 5-bed houses

Of the 95 dwellings, 38 (40%) are proposed to be affordable homes. The plans also include 1.68 hectares of open space, including amenity green space and play areas.

Key issues outlined in the report include the principle of development, scale, design and appearance, impact on the landscape and character of the area, impact on living conditions, flood risk and drainage, highway impacts, impact on trees and biodiversity.

The Lytchett Matravers Parish Council has objected to the application, raising concerns about its contradiction of sustainable planning principles, car dependency, traffic congestion and safety risks.

Dorset Council's landscape, urban design, and natural environment teams have been consulted, with the landscape and urban design officers raising no objections subject to conditions. Natural England has also raised no objections, subject to securing nutrient mitigation¹.

The report notes that 249 objections have been received, raising concerns about overdevelopment, impact on infrastructure, highway safety, loss of green space and impact on biodiversity.

The officer's report recommends that authority be delegated to the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement and Development Management Area Manager East to grant planning permission subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement to secure:

• 40% affordable housing
• Education contribution
• Special education needs contribution
• GP surgery contribution
• Public right of way contribution
• Nutrient neutrality requirements
• Local equipped area for play requirements

Land North of West Lane, Stoborough, Wareham

The committee will also be considering an outline application for land north of West Lane in Stoborough, Wareham. The application, submitted by the Trustees of the Stoborough Settlement, seeks permission for up to 15 residential dwellings, site re-profiling and associated infrastructure, with all matters reserved apart from vehicular access from West Lane.

The officer's report notes that the application was previously considered by the committee in 2021, but a material change in circumstances, through the adoption of the Purbeck Local Plan, necessitates its reconsideration.

The indicative site plan shows an access road on a north-south axis, with residential units on either side. A footpath is shown leading to a public right of way connecting Stoborough to the Bog Lane Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG). A balancing pond will be created to collect surface water run-off.

The indicative mix of units is:

Affordable Units (6 total):

• 2 x 1 bedroom apartments
• 4 x two-bedroom semi-detached houses

Open Market units (9 total):

• 4 x three-bedroom semi-detached houses
• 3 x four-bedroom detached houses
• 2 x five-bedroom detached houses

Key issues outlined in the report include the principle of development, affordable housing, impact on the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), protected habitats, biodiversity, scale, design and impact on the character and appearance of the area, highway safety and access, impact on amenity, flooding and drainage, and impact upon protected trees.

Arne Parish Council has objected to the proposal, citing the Arne Neighbourhood Plan which states that the site should not be used for development.

Natural England has raised no objection subject to a condition regarding a connecting pathway to the SANG. Dorset Council's highways management team has raised no objections subject to the provision of a footway.

The report notes that 26 objections have been received, raising concerns about the carbon footprint of the construction process, the risk of flooding, impact on amenity, wildlife, the AONB, lack of school provision, no pavement leading to the village centre, parking provision and highway safety.

The officer's report recommends that authority be delegated to the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement and Development Management Area Manager East to grant planning permission following completion of a S106 Planning Obligation to secure:

• 6 Affordable dwellings
• Implementation and management of off-site land for nutrient mitigation and subject to the conditions at the end of this report.

Minutes

The committee will also be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2025. The minutes include discussion of an application relating to Hope Farm, Mill Street, Corfe Mullen, and Binnegar Hall, Binnegar, Wareham.