MORE than 100 new homes with a “contemporary rural” design could be built on land in Blandford. 

Plans are in place to build up to 135 new homes on empty land south west of Bournemouth Road, south of Blandford St Mary, along the A350. 

Developers Hallam Land Management Limited, which has already built homes in Bridport, have said 30 per cent of the homes will be affordable, including affordable rent. 

A design and access statement said: “The development will be designed to relate positively to new development being delivered to the north with a soft landscaped edge.  

Bournemouth Echo: A350 by the land earmarked for developmentA350 by the land earmarked for development (Image: Hallam Land Management Limited)

“Cycle and footpath connections will maximise connectivity and in turn fully exploit the benefits of diverting the North Dorset Trailway by widening its function as an attractive walking and cycling connection that provides good access to the offer of facilities in Blandford St Mary and Blandford Forum.” 

The design of the homes is described as being “contemporary rural” with the applicants avoiding a “typical design”. 

Built alongside a new green and play area, the homes could be mostly two-storeys, but with the potential for three-storey apartments. 

On landscaping, the document added: “The majority of trees and vegetation will be retained except for that which is necessary to provide safe access into the site.  

“Additional grassland, tree and hedgerow planting is aimed to achieve the required bio-diversity net gain.” 

The applicants concluded: “The outcome is a robust, high quality, sustainable residential development proposal on a site that is well defined, immediate to Lower Blandford St Mary with good connections to local services and community facilities in Blandford St Mary and Blandford Forum. 

“Hallam Land Management is committed to securing a quality development at this site.  

“Given the existing and emerging policy context and Hallam’s commitment to expediting housing delivery, it is considered that the application proposals and design and development framework should be considered positively.” 

Applicants Hallam Land Management Limited has applied for outline planning permission for the development and a decision on it will be made in the future.