by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
A 500-home development is again being promoted on Lulworth Estate farmland at Wool.
The proposal includes a 70-bed care facility and commercial units with large areas of open space.
It was first suggested in 2019 but did not progress.
If planning consent is given the development could be underway by 2030 with completion a decade later.
The Estate and its planning agent have this week asked Dorset Council for the level of detail required in an environmental assessment before a formal proposal is submitted, suggesting a full planning application is likely next year.
The site, covering approximately 34 hectares of grade 3 (moderate value) agricultural land, lies to the west of Wool, bordered by the South Western Main Line railway to the north and existing housing to the east. It is close to the Dorset Police headquarters and the Dorset Innovation Park, both further west, where hundreds of jobs could be created in the coming years.
The land is also close to several heritage assets, including four scheduled monuments and four Grade II listed buildings, raising potential concerns about the impact on the historic environment.
Agents for the estate say the scheme will bring substantial economic benefits, including temporary and long-term employment opportunities, an increased housing supply helping to meet new Dorset targets set by the Government, and additional spending in the local economy.
Detailed permission is likely to be sought initially for new vehicular access points onto the A352 and Burton Road, while other matters will remain for reserved, or detailed consent.
The development is likely to spark debate over infrastructure, heritage protection, and the balance between growth and conservation in rural Dorset.
The Estate says it is committed to public consultation throughout the development process.
Residents can view full details via the Dorset Council planning portal using the reference P/ESP/2025/06253, Land North of Dorchester Road, Wool.
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