The next phase of plans to develop a new community next to Dorchester has been given the green light by civic chiefs.

Detailed plans by the Duchy of Cornwall for 48 dwellings plus 12 apartments together with associated garages, access and landscaping have been approved by West Dorset District Council this week under delegated powers.

Under the proposals, which were submitted by Dorset housebuilders CG Fry on behalf of the Duchy of Cornwall Estate in November

last year, the development forms part of phase three and four of the Poundbury development, a new community situated to the west of Dorchester.

CG Fry have also proposed that 50 per cent (30 out of 60) proposed units would be affordable.

Case officer at West Dorset District Council, Ann Collins, said that the scheme was all very much part of the character of the existing wider Poundbury development and it is considered that the scheme would have an acceptable impact on visual amenity.

She added: “The site is not on the edge of Poundbury, but rather when the development has been built out it will be surrounded by other development.

“As such the changes proposed in this revised scheme would have minimal impact on the wider visual amenity of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB).”

Dorchester Town Council raised no objections to the development saying that they supported it in principal along with Natural England who also raised no concerns.

It comes after an outline application was granted in December 2011 for the erection of 1,200 dwellings, a new primary school, 2.5 hectares of non-residential development and associated roads, drainage and other infrastructure as part of phase three of the development with phase one and two being approved in 1994.

Alongside this, as previously reported, planning permission was also granted last week for a new continuing care retirement community called Crown Point on a 1.6-hectare site on the edge of Poundbury were approved by council planners at West Dorset District Council.

Under the proposals, the company is seeking to build around 76 apartments and bungalows together with a communal building.

Construction is expected to start on-site later this year.