PARISH Council chairman Mark Simons claimed there is almost nothing about the proposed development of up to 120 homes south of Westleaze which would make life better in the village.

He told the public inquiry in Dorchester that village residents had been the opposite of NIMBYS - positively welcoming recent housing schemes, because it recognised that Charminster needed some growth to flourish.

But he said the appeal scheme did not fit into the category of right scheme in the right place.

The inspector, Zoe Hill, was told that a large public meeting in Charminster decided that the site, close to Wolfeton House at one end, was not one which ought to be developed, was not an appropriate scale and would “bring harm rather than benefits to the area.”

The public inquiry will decide an appeal by Land Value Alliances LLP (South West) into the refusal by West Dorset District Council for outline permission for up to 120 homes on what is known locally as The Strawberry Field, south of Westleaze.

Cllr Simons reminded the hearing that the site was outside the development boundary and argued that the village already had enough land for new housing to meet its needs with recently approved schemes at Charminster Farm, currently underway, an extension to that scheme yet to begin; and another housing site off Wanchard Lane.

He said the parish council was also worried about the scale of the development and the effect on Wolfeton together with the precedent it might set for further homes on adjoining fields. He was also concerned that the site was poorly integrated with the village and the wider area and described the proposed access as inadequate.

Mr Simons said that whatever the technical arguments the human element should also be considered: he said that for residents wanting to enjoy a rural walk it would be worse and it would be worse for those dodging traffic on their way to and from school.

“For residents already living with traffic issues on East Hill and West Hill it will be worse; for the children of Charminster walking down through the village to the play area it will be worse; for most residents of Charminster it will be worse.” he said.

The inquiry, which has yet to hear evidence from the developers, is expected to continue until at least Wednesday next week.

The company, Land Value Alliances LLP (South West), is claiming that landscaping can mitigate the effect of its homes on the area around Wolfeton House; that changes to the roads and paths could provide better routes from the site in and out of the village, and that the homes would bring a benefit to the local economy and help the district meet the Government target for new homes.