Almost 30 letters will be considered by West Dorset planners when they look at an application for a home in the grounds of The Retreat at Godmanstone.

Most object to the size and some of the details of plans for a new two storey flint and brick home which will face onto the A352.

Cerne Valley parish council has repeated its objection to the application claiming that the revised plan is “no more than a tweak”. It claims the building will be too imposing and will have an awkward access off the main road.

The parish council submission adds: “The mass is too much for the location, and whilst not a planning consideration there is something quite weird about the external staircase to the side… There is absolutely no need for this external staircase – it is one of the key features which makes the design not fit in with the surrounding village houses.”

District councillors will be told at their meeting this Thursday that the highways authority has not objected to the access and that the two letters in support say the home will add to the area’s housing stock and that the design is suitable for the village.

The site is adjacent to the village conservation area and is close to the listed Manor Cottage and almost opposite Crains Cottage.

Planning officers say the design has been reduced in height and scale since the original proposal to better fit on what is an elevated plot.

Their report tells councillors: “It is considered that the proposal has an acceptable impact on the area of outstanding natural beauty, visual amenity, residential amenity, setting of the conservation area and listed building and highway safety.”

They are recommending approval subject to detailed agreement on floor plans, elevations and landscaping.