THE final details of plans to build hundreds of homes north of Wimborne are in line to be approved next week.

Members of Dorset Council’s eastern planning committee will be asked to approve the reserved matters application for the western part of the Bloor Homes development north of the town.

A report published ahead of their meeting on Wednesday says the design of the development is “acceptable” and that it will contribute “much-needed housing”.

Work has already been approved and started on the eastern part of the scheme off Cranborne Road but only outline permission has been granted for the western side.

This part of the development will be made up of 312 homes and public open spaces.

Bloor Homes submitted the final details for this section, including access and its layout, last year, saying it would be “more reminiscent” of the older parts of Wimborne.

“The western neighbourhood is to be more formal and rectilinear in form than the eastern parcel, reflecting the Victorian areas of Wimborne,” a statement submitted on its behalf says.

However, a Dorset Council urban design officer said they had “significant concerns” about the quality of the scheme and raised concerns about the impact it would have on views. Landscaping issues have also been highlighted.

As a result of the objection and due to the scale of the development, a final decision will be made by members of the council’s eastern planning committee when it meets on Wednesday.

And despite the concerns, a report by planning officer Naomi Shinkins recommends the application be approved.

She said some had been addressed by Bloor through minor changes to its proposals but acknowledged they “have not been addressed in full”.

Despite this, she says the development “adequately responds” to design requirements and “would not warrant refusal”.

“Any harm caused would be outweighed by much needed housing supply secured on this strategic allocated site,” her report says.

“Having assessed the material considerations, overall, the reserved matters submitted for the second tranche of 312 residential units for the western parcel are found, on balance, to be acceptable and sufficiently compliant with national and local planning policies that refusal would not be warranted.”

A final decision will be made at Wednesday’s meeting.