DEVELOPERS have won permission to build two homes on a site in Dorchester at the third time of asking.

A planning application has been approved for a pair of semi-detached homes in the rear garden of a property in London Road.

The proposal was supported by West Dorset District Council’s development control committee after it refused an application to build on the site last year.

That matter was taken to appeal and a planning inspector again refused permission, supporting the council’s view that it would have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties.

A planning application has also previously been brought forward for a funeral home on the site but that was also refused by the district council in June 2011.

Dorchester Town Council submitted an objection to the latest application by Vanguard UK (Southern) Ltd and local residents also raised concerned about the impact on their homes.

Planning officer Chris Meill explained that since the last application the windows at the front of the building had been altered to high level roof lights so they did not overlook neighbouring properties and an acoustic barrier was also being proposed to mitigate for the noise of vehicles coming in and out of the site.

However, committee member and local councillor Stella Jones said she still had reservations about the plans. She said: “I’m a little bit concerned about this.

“Mainly because it’s a back garden development.

“Is this going to set a precedent?

“If we allow this one will we start others copying?”

Fellow local member Cllr Robin Potter, pictured left, said that, while he had concerns the scale of development was ‘extremely cramped’, the fact that the latest application seemed to address the concerns raised by the planning inspector meant he could not find a reason to object to the plans.

He said: “If the acoustic fence does its job properly I’m struggling to find an objection.”

Cllr Dominic Elliott added: “I like this.

“I think it’s an extremely good use of back land infill.

“It’s excellent use of the space available.”

The committee agreed to approve the plans, subject to conditions.