It’s for an area off Dottery Road, North Allington, Bridport – within the Dorset National Landscape Area.
The planning proposal comes after a previous scheme by another developer, for 90 homes, was withdrawn after opposition in November 2019.
Southern Strategic Land is behind the new outline planning application to Dorset Council.
The proposals for the 7.2 hectare farmland site only ask for access to be considered at this stage, although there are details of the proposed homes and how they might look.
The site is immediately to the north of Orchard Crescent.
The developers say they are considering 52 open market homes – 18 two-bed; 31 three-bed and 3 4+ bed; together with 28 social, affordable and intermediate rental properties – 6 one-bed flats; 7 two-bed houses; 13 three-bed and two 4+ bed.
The ‘affordable’ elements meet the Dorset Council criteria for 35 per cent.
In documents submitted with the application the developers say they reached out to almost 24,000 people within a ten-mile radius of the town, starting in May this year, with many comments supporting plans for affordable homes for local people, including young families and those setting up home for the first time.
Only one access to the site is currently proposed, via Court Orchard Road where the masterplan shows a community garden proposed nearby, running parallel with Orchard Crescent.
A potential pedestrian access to the site is shown on the eastern edge off Dibdin View where one of the two water features are shown for the site – the other to the north of Dibdin View and Kestrel Lane.
On land type the report to Dorset Council says that the site does have some of the best quality and most versatile agricultural land – with 2.0 hectares (29%) Grade 1, 0.9 ha (13%) Grade 2, 1.8 ha (26%) Subgrade 3a, 2 ha (29%) Subgrade 3b and 0.2 ha (3%) of Non-agricultural land – which may go against the proposal with the National Planning Policy Framework stating: “if significant development of agricultural land is necessary, use areas of poorer quality land where possible”.
Dorset Council’s Local Plan has a similar policy.
On transport the developers say that with cycle routes nearby and a good network of footpaths the site should be accessible for many people without resorting to a car.
“Considering the site’s location, access to existing local facilities and the opportunities to improve connectivity to the wider area for both new and existing residents by improving pedestrian and cycle routes and public transport provision, the proposed development complies with these key National Planning Policy Framework policies.”
At the time of writing there has only been one public comment on the proposals – from the Ramblers Association which welcomes the intention to retain all existing rights of way on the site and to provide new walking trails.
Comments on the latest proposal can be made until October 16 using the Dorset Council planning reference P/OUT/2026/04789.
The previous proposals for the site came from developer Gladman which submitted plans for up to 90 homes.
The scheme attracted strong objections from Bridport Town Council over its location within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as it was known at the time, and its conflict with local planning policies as well as concerns about traffic.
The proposal was withdrawn in November 2019.