PLANS to build five large homes on the edge of Poundbury’s Great Field have come under fire.

Dorchester Town Council’s planning and environment committee considered an outline planning application for five homes with an access road on land at the edge of the field along from St John’s Way to Poundbury Cemetery.

The committee was told that the homes were not included in the original development brief for Poundbury but West Dorset District Council had said because it was within the town development boundary it could be used for housing.

The committee heard from one local resident who feared that a precedent would be set if open space that had not previously been earmarked for development at Poundbury was then used for housing.

Len Heath from the Dorchester Civic Society said that he feared the new homes could become a ‘gated community’.

He said: “This may turn into a gated community as these properties are all going to sell for over £1million each.”

In a statement submitted to West Dorset District Council commenting on the planning application, the Civic Society said: “The proposed development is a significant and inappropriate intrusion into the Great Field.

“It would adversely change the character of the north part of the Great Field suburbanising its eastern edge as the result of the introduction of five, uncharacteristically large for Poundbury, villas on substantial plots fronting one side of a long cul-de-sac.”

Cllr David Taylor, who lives close to the development site, said his main concern was the height of the properties being proposed, at two-and-a-half storeys, and the way they would overlook nearby properties.

Cllr Fiona Kent-Ledger raised concerns over the flood risk in the area while several members raised concerns over the loss of part of the Great Field.

Cllr Molly Rennie said: “It has been designated as amenity land for the whole of the residents of Dorchester, not for five people who live in these properties.”

Cllr Andy Canning added: “Dorchester is a growing population and most of the sites that are being developed don’t have any public open land on them.

“We need every bit of public open space we have got and that includes the Great Field.”

Cllr Kate Armitage also questioned whether the proposed scheme would serve the local community.

She said: “I think these houses are going to be for millionaires and it’s not going to benefit the people of Dorchester whatsoever.”