ALMOST 100 objections flooded into West Dorset planners in response to an application for a home in the grounds of The Retreat at Godmanstone.

Many objected to the size and scale of the proposed new two-storey flint and brick home which will face onto the A352.

One described it as “a monolith” with others claiming it would ruin the look of the village forever.

There were also concern about road safety with the proposed access onto the road, close to a point where the school bus stops.

District councillors rejected the application.

The district planning meeting heard from immediate neighbour, Joanne Pickering from Crains Cottage who said she thought the access off the property onto the main road at what she described as a ‘pinch point’ could be dangerous.

“There is no turning point on the property…does that mean that vehicles will have to reverse out?”

Cerne Valley parish council repeated an earlier objection to the application claiming that the revised plan, which reduces the size of the home, was “no more than a tweak”. It said the building will be too imposing and will have an awkward access off the main road.

Resident, John Vivian, said the application was “ out of character with existing properties in the conservation area,” describing the external staircase as “looking like a fire escape.”

He added: “Even though the size has been reduced it looks like a thirty foot monolith rising out of the road.”

Tony Morpeth said the application was out of keeping with the village: “a veritable tower which will impact on neighbouring properties,” he told councillors.

Agent Mr N A Williams said the principle of the home and the access had been previously agreed but in response to local comments the height of the house had been reduced by 1.5 metres to the ridge and from 10.5 metres to 8 metres across the front – an overall reduction of 25 per cent. He said it was about the same size as the average new home.

He pointed out that the highway authority had no objection to the access onto the road.

County Highways Officer Ian Madgwick said the access was “not brilliant, but it works” adding that it was no worse than some other access points to other properties in the village.

He said he could not object because the school bus visited the area and it had to be recognised that buses visited many areas which were ‘less than perfect.’

“I have to say that this planning consent will not make it so dangerous that it should be refused,” he told the committee.

A report by planning officers recommended approval claiming that the application had an “acceptable impact on the area” and was satisfactory on grounds of highway safety.They recommended approval subject to detailed agreement on floor plans, elevations and landscaping.

But none of the committee were convinced and all who spoke argued against the development.

Cllr Simon Christopher described the application as “incongruous to the village setting.”

Cllr Robin Potter was worried about the details of the bank

and removal of hedging and doubted if the changes made were enough: “ We are always being told it is better than the last one, but if we came to this cold we might well say it was out of keeping.”

Fellow Dorchester councillor Stella Jones was critical of the council’s officers for not bringing forward a report on the effects the building would have on conservation.

Committe chairman Cllr Fred Horsington said that outline permission had already been granted, accepting the principle of a home on the site.

He said what was now being decided was the detail: “It’s been made smaller.

“What we have to ask ourselves is whether it is small enough?”

He proposed refusal on the grounds that the building was too large for the plot and that the scale, height and form was not in keeping with the area.

Councillors agreed and rejected the application with no votes against and no declared abstentions.