by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Nine new homes are being planned for a corner plot in Crossways – on a site set aside for commercial use.
The proposals have upset some residents – claiming the decision not to build the commercial units a ‘ploy’.
“They have permission to build a retail unit… that is what they must now build,” said one of the 30-plus comments on the proposal.
Another described the change as ‘an absolute joke’, adding “They already have the planning permission to build the retail unit…..so they should be held to building what was agreed.”
But not all have opposed the plans – some have written to say it would be better for homes than remain a building yard.
The Allenby Homes application is for a quarter of a hectare site on the corner of Lewell and Warmwell Roads.
The proposal to Dorset Council for planning permission outlines four 3-bed homes and five 2-bed with parking across the site for 22 vehicles.
A planning agent says the proposal comprises three pairs of semi-detached dwellings and one short terrace of three dwellings, reflecting the scale and form of dwellings already being delivered across the wider site. The corner plot is currently being used to store building materials for an adjacent site where 49 homes are under construction and has an existing planning consent for eight commercial units.
The agent argues that with no proven need for the commercial units it would be better used for housing which fits in with the scale and design of the adjacent area.
Said the agent : “The principle of built development on this part of the site has already been accepted through the extant permission for commercial development. That commercial use has not been implemented, and the site does not comprise an established employment site or existing employment floorspace. Given this site has remained undeveloped for a significant number of years, the proposal would therefore make effective use of the land to deliver 9 modest family homes.
“In character and appearance terms, the scheme has been designed to integrate with the surrounding development and provide a seamless addition to the wider site. The proposed layout, scale, appearance and landscaping reflect the homes already being delivered, whilst replacing the approved commercial building with a lower scale and more compatible residential form of development.”
Public comments on the application, P/FUL/2026/03397 , remains open until August 11th.
