APPROVAL has been given for an extra 66 homes at Sherborne’s Barton Farm development – subject to agreeing a biodiversity plan.

Local councillors Robin Legg and Jon Andrews both complained about the further expansion of the scheme and were critical it has been allowed to grow beyond the original maximum of 279 homes.

Cllr Legg claimed that by the time the next phase is finished the site will have at least 30 per cent more homes than first planned.

Cllr Andrews described the red roof tiles on the estate as ‘a pink pimple’ on the town’s landscape and asked for no more red tiles, or render, on the new buildings.

The two local councillors at Tuesday’s planning committee were also concerned about sewage problems reported by residents, and whether the area will have enough parking spaces for the expected number of new residents.

Concerns were also expressed about the development by the third local councillor, Matthew Hall, who was unable to attend the meeting. He sent a letter with a series of worries including questioning whether the local GP surgery and schools would be able to cope.

The decision to delegate approval, subject to conditions, to the chief planning officer went to a 4-4 vote with chair Sherry Jespersen agreeing to the recommendation to approve.

The meeting, held in Sturminster Newton, also heard from a neighbour who claimed one of the new homes would be just 12 metres from his with six windows overlooking his property.

Sherborne Town Council had asked that the scheme be rejected claiming that the homes would block the view and light from homes built in earlier phases closest to the site.

The town council is also concerned about extra traffic and claims that the existing sewage system is already at capacity and that the drainage system for surface water may not be adequate for the new homes. Their views were not shared by Wessex Water or the highways authority.

Similar concerns have been expressed in letters to Dorset Council with additional worries about the landscaping proposals, additional noise and the loss of an old hedgerows. Cllr Legg said there are also concerns about the effect the development may have on bats which roost in nearby farm buildings. He has asked that the council’s natural environment team pay attention to that before the agreement is signed off.

The proposed homes, close to existing properties in Marston Road, are the fourth phase of the scheme being built by Persimmon Homes. The site will link into the existing road network of the previous phases which are to the west-northwest of it.

The new buildings will be a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced with one three-storey block of flats. 23 are allocated for ‘affordable’ housing spread across the development.

Officers told the planning committee that they had no reason, in planning terms, to reject the application and the affordable homes will be of benefit to the area, along with smaller open market homes.