PLANS to build 35 homes on pasture land at a northwest Dorset village have been approved.

Sherborne Castle Estates wants to build the new homes at Thornford, near Sherborne.

West Dorset District Council's (WDDC) planning committee backed the planning application during its meeting on Thursday.

During the preceding discussions, committee member Cllr Margaret Lawrence said: "This particular site is recognised as a potential site for development.

"To keep the village thriving we do need more development.

"This is fairly sustainable I feel."

However, Cllr Robin Legg did express concerns about the "sustainability of the site" arguing the homes may be better placed at the other side of the village. "It is a long walk from the proposed site to the railway station," he added. "I think there must be concern that what we are looking at in the future is an enlargement of Thornton."

Currently, Thornford parish has a population of approximately 840 people.

The proposed development, which was granted conditional planning permission by the committee, will occupy a 1.9 hectare plot on land north of Pound Lane. Some 35 per cent of the homes will be offered as affordable housing.

A Thornhackett Parish Council (TPC) meeting, held to address residents' concerns in March, this year, was attended by 58 villagers.

At the end of this meeting a poll was taken, with 30 residents voting against the application and 17 in favour.

Therefore, TPC formally objected to the proposals, citing traffic issues, sewerage and drainage, and loss of greenfield space among the reasons why.

WDDC planning case officer Robert Lennis, whose report to members had recommended approval for the scheme, said: "With the exception of the parish council, no objections have been raised by any of the relevant statutory consultees."