District councillors have given the green light to plans for hundreds of new homes on a Dorset greenfield site.

West Dorset District Council's (WDDC) planning committee has approved an application of 292 homes at Bank and Ridge Farms on the northern edge of Chickerell, submitted by CG Fry and Son Ltd.

The scheme will involve the creation of two new road junctions, pedestrian and cycle links, a public open space and an extension to St Mary’s Church burial ground, as well as landscaping and drainage, flood control and earth works.

CG Fry and Son has pledged that 35 per cent (102) of the homes will be affordable housing as part of its proposed Section 106 agreement for "infrastructure and community benefits."

Others are financial contributions towards primary education provision and healthcare provision in Chickerell, plus contributions to support existing allotments and the town’s community orchard, and for new facilities such as a grass pitch, sports pavilion, play areas and skate park.

Cllr Ian Gardner, WDDC spokesman for planning, said: “I am pleased our planning officers have been able to work with CG Fry and Son in order to agree a suitable S106 agreement, which will see significant community benefits.

“Once completed, this development will provide much needed open market housing and a large number of affordable housing for our residents.

“I look forward to the reserve matters application, where the design elements of the development will be presented.”

David Lohfink, land and planning director for CG Fry and Son Ltd, said: “We are delighted that the planning committee accepted the positive recommendation from officers and saw the need for much needed housing on a local plan allocated site.

"We are pleased the committee took into account the significant amount of work we put in to designing the proposals and the package of financial contributions towards the provision of local infrastructure and facilities. We look forward to a continued and productive dialogue with officers and the community as we bring the detailed scheme design forward.”

As reported by the Echo WDDC, together with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and North Dorset District Council, want to see 20,000 more homes built in their combined area by 2033 under their Opening Doors campaign.

Cllr Tim Yarker, WDDC spokesman for housing, said: “Opening Doors aims to encourage developers to bring more housing schemes forward and to build out these planning applications as soon as reasonably possible if consent is gained.

“Like many other areas, West Dorset has a housing shortage so schemes of different kinds, whether at the larger end of the spectrum, or on a smaller scale are welcome.”

Opening Doors has also recently launched a home ownership register to gauge housing demand and supply information about the latest homes for sale to househunters.