CONSTRUCTION of up to 350 dwellings in Chickerell have been submitted to West Dorset District Council and residents remained worried about what this will mean for the town if approved.

Back in November 2015 residents in Chickerell were urging developers and local authorities to invest in the community’s infrastructure as the area “struggles to cope” amid large-scale housing developments.

In the previous two local plans more than 1,000 homes were designated to be built in Chickerell.

The finalised plans of up to 350 homes to be build at Bank and Ridge Farms on the northern edge of the village were submitted on Friday by C G Fry and Son Ltd.

If approved it will mean the construction of the dwellings, vehicular access from two new junctions off School Hill in the east and also via the B3157 via Courage Way in the west, pedestrian and cycle linkages, an extension to the burial ground of St Mary’s, landscaping, a sustainable urban drainage system including attenuation ponds, utility connections, and associated engineering, infrastructure and earth works.

Julie Cleaver, who lives in North Square, Chickerell, said: “What we are all very worried about is the impact of all this additional housing in Chickerell and Nottington is having on the local infrastructure and amenities. Chickerell school is already at breaking point, currently the only shop we have is a small post office, the doctors surgery is over subscribed and the bus service leaves a lot to be desired at weekends.

“The other major concern for residents of Marshallsay Road and North Square is the flooding issue. When it rains now Barr Lane becomes like a flowing river, bringing silt and gravel down into the drainage system which blocks and then North Square floods nearby homes and gardens.

“The current proposal is to create effectively a waterfall of three holding ponds on a hill in Barr Lane - at the bottom of this waterfall is my garden.

“This system has been implemented in a development in Bideford by Blor Homes at College Fields where it has been unsuccessful and the residents are campaigning for compensation from the developers.

“I urge all Chickerell residents to attend the Chickerell Town Council meeting on Tuesday, July 19 at 7pm to voice their concerns to the town councillors.”

Land owners and residents who wish to voice their opinion or objections to this application should write the council before Thursday, July 21.