A MAJOR proposal for a new 55-home estate on a site to the west of Wareham now occupied by four large detached houses is being recommended for refusal when it goes before Purbeck district councillors.

The outline application from Westbourne-based developers Quantum Homes has prompted objections from the occupants of 23 local properties - along with a 31 signature petition.

It will be discussed at the Purbeck council planning board meeting on Thursday.

The site is off the Worgret Road - and near the large comprehensive Purbeck School.

There have been eight letters from locals saying they back the scheme. Objections have been raised saying the scale of development of the roughly two-and-three-quarter acre site - some 1.1 hectares - would be excessive and unacceptable and would be out of character with this part of Wareham. There are also concerns over highway safety.

The development would see the demolition of four substantial properties on the Worgret Road. In their place would be a mix of houses, cottages and apartments as well as around 30 care apartments.

The developer claims its design submission 'represents a real chance and opportunity' for housing that is desperately needed in the locality with a scheme that combines open market, social housing and sheltered accommodation.

Quantum argues that the scheme's approval would reduce the need for developers to take chunks out of existing green field sites to meet housing targets now being set for the district - by utilising an under-used 'brownfield' site.

Dorset County Council's highways section says that though the access on to the Worgret Road would be acceptable, the proposed road layout within the estate is poor and the scheme could be refused on these grounds.

Planner Tony Bird reports that given the characteristics of the immediate area 'there is a clear case for concluding that the density of development on this site should be much lower than that proposed'.

There are question marks over the affordable housing proposed in that what is most needed locally is flats and terraced homes, rather than sheltered accommodation.

The recommendation is that the proposal 'fails to provide a type of housing that meets the most pressing housing needs within the Purbeck district'.