Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A MAJOR development of up to 500 homes at Crossways is being brought back before councillors on Wednesday (14th) after changes to national planning policy raised new questions about wildfire risk.
The scheme, put forward by C & G Properties Ltd for land south of Warmwell Road, includes a detailed application for 99 open-market and affordable homes, a new doctors’ surgery, replacement village hall, car park and village green.
Outline permission is also sought for a further 401 homes, 2.5 hectares of employment land, roads, paths, cycleways, pumping stations and a car park serving a proposed Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace. A full application covers the change of use of 22.4 hectares for that greenspace.
Dorset Council’s Western and Southern Area Planning Committee agreed in May 2026 to grant permission, subject to conditions and completion of a Section 106 legal agreement. Officers say that agreement is now nearly ready.
However, the application has to be reconsidered because a revised National Planning Policy Framework and updated Housing Delivery Test figures were published after the committee’s decision. These are new material planning considerations which officers must take into account before permission is issued.
A key issue is a new national policy requiring developments to include proportionate wildfire mitigation where there is a particular risk. At the case officer’s request, the developer submitted a Wildfire Statement because the site adjoins Moigne Combe Wood, an area identified as having significant vegetation and potential fuel load.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said the proposed greenspace should not automatically be treated as a firebreak because it would include woodland, new planting and other vegetation. It has called for access for fire appliances, high-volume hydrants, long-term management of leaf litter and undergrowth, restrictions on possible ignition sources where necessary, and additional measures during construction.
Council officers have also updated the proposed education contributions. Their amended recommendation is to delegate approval to senior planning officers once the legal agreement is completed, with 35 per cent affordable housing, education and highways payments, heathland mitigation, play areas, employment land, the village hall and indoor sports provision among the obligations.
Only the first phase would be allowed to begin before 2030. If the Section 106 legal agreement is not completed by mid-April 2027, or another agreed deadline, officers would be authorised to refuse the application.
Dorset Council leader Cllr Nick Ireland, also the ward councillor, will be speaking at the Wednesday planning meeting on behalf of the village.
Parish chairman Andrew Brewer says he is unable to speak because his family home of many generations will see development brought within yards of it, if the project is again approved.
Cllr Brewer says many in the village have reservations about the scheme and other housing proposals which have also been put forward, largely taking the view that some development is needed, especially when it bring with it extra facilities.
“We are fortunate to have the support of our Dorset Councillor Nick Ireland who works with us and speaks on our behalf…
“Nick shares our frustration and astonishment over some of the plans that have been approved and the methods used by developers who are not remotely interested in the good of the village or the quality of life but in making a profit. We have seen landowners go from protecting their land and supporting us to open hostility when we do not approve their applications. They no longer work with us but against us. We have been promised schemes for ‘affordable’ houses that are not affordable at all to the younger people in the village. These are invariably manipulated and modified after planning permission is granted. We now have a situation with a developer coming back wanting to build more dwellings on his site taking the total over the threshold to build affordable housing but on the grounds that it is a separate scheme.”
Cllr Brewer says a village consultation involving over a hundred were clear and consistent:
A Health Hub / expanded GP provision is the single highest priority for residents.
A replacement Village Hall is also strongly supported, with residents emphasising the need for a modern, fit‑for‑purpose community facility.
Infrastructure must be delivered before any further large‑scale housing is permitted.
Residents expressed significant concern about cumulative development pressures, particularly given the number of existing permissions already granted in Crossways.
He said that Crossways Parish Council’s position is that the infrastructure elements of the proposal, the Health Hub, Village Hall, and associated community facilities must be secured, delivered, and operational before any further phases of housing development are started.
“Given the scale of development already approved in the parish, it is essential that this application does not repeat the pattern of housing being built years ahead of the facilities required to support it,” said Cllr Brewer.
