The Northern Area Planning Committee of Dorset Council is scheduled to meet on 14 October 2025 to discuss planning applications in the northern area of Dorset. The committee will be considering an application to build 33 dwellings on land south of Bolney in Blandford Forum, and another to build a single-storey extension to Blandford St Mary C of E VA Primary School in Birch Avenue, Blandford St Mary. The committee will also confirm the minutes of their previous meeting held on 8 July 2025.

Land South of Bolney, Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum

The committee will consider a planning application for the erection of 33 dwellings with garages and parking on land south of Bolney, Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum. The application, submitted by Lewis Wyatt (Construction) Ltd, also includes forming vehicular access from Salisbury Road, associated infrastructure, public open space, and site preparation.

The report pack notes that Pimperne Parish Council has objected to the proposal, and that this is the reason the application is being discussed at committee.

The report pack explains that the proposed development site is in a countryside location where development is to be resisted unless there is an overriding need. However, it also notes that the site is an infill site, surrounded by existing and planned residential development. The report pack states that the council can currently demonstrate a 5-year supply of housing, but that this is about to change. It says that the council will soon have a shortfall of almost 8,000 homes, and that this is a significant material consideration that weighs in favour of the development.

The report pack states that the applicant is proposing to deliver 30% affordable housing, which is compliant with policy. It also says that the applicant is agreeable to a policy compliant mix of 70% rented and 30% intermediate housing¹.

The report pack notes that the Cranborne Chase National Landscape has raised concerns about the proposal, including:

Urban incursion into a farmed landscape and there will be extensive area of roofs that will feature in views from public access areas east and southeast of the site within this National Landscape Reduction of the Open Gap contrary to Policy LC(g) Concerns surrounding external lighting and street lighting in this location

The report pack states that the benefits of the scheme relate to improved access and movement, along with the section 106 contributions listed above.

The report pack recommends that planning permission is granted, subject to conditions and the completion of a section 106 agreement².

Blandford St Mary C of E VA Primary School, Birch Avenue, Blandford St Mary

The committee will also consider an application concerning Blandford St Mary C of E VA Primary School. The application seeks permission to demolish part of an existing modular building and erect a single-storey extension. The area where the modular building currently stands would then be used as a playground.

The report pack notes that part of the existing modular building to be demolished and proposed to be used as playground is built on Dorset Council-owned land.

The report pack states that the land was designated for educational use, and that this application accords with that continued use. It also says that the demolition of the existing modular building and erection of a single-storey extension to the main school building is acceptable, as there is no net loss of play area or playing fields.

The report pack concludes that:

The scheme to erect an extension to the main school building, providing a new space for the existing pre-school operating on site, and demolition of the existing modular building used by the pre-school complies with the above-mentioned local and national policies and the development plan taken as a whole, with no material planning considerations to indicate that permission should be refused.

The report pack recommends that planning permission is granted, subject to conditions.

Minutes

The committee will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 8th July 2025.