FIVE homes could be built at Warmwell Road, Crossways if Dorset Council agree – although the parish council is expected to oppose the development.

A planning application asks to demolish the existing 3-bed chalet bungalow at 14 Warmwell Road and build five 3-bed homes on the site in two blocks. The existing building also has an annexe linked to the main building with two bedrooms with disabled access which would also be demolished.

Agents acting for the developer say in their application to the council: “The existing built form is of little architectural merit and does not contribute to the character of the area.”

They claim that the replacement homes, in two blocks, would not significantly overlook neighbouring homes and would not be an overdevelopment of the site, one of the criticism of a previous application for six homes which was rejected in January 2019 and then taken to appeal where it was dismissed.

The agents argue that the higher density is becoming increasingly common at Crossways: “There has been a spate of residential redevelopments on the northern side of Warmwell Road in the past 10 years, which has led to an established increase in housing density on previously under-utilised sites – this was again raised in the appeal decision as establishing an emerging pattern of development in the locality with an increased housing density.”

Their proposal is for a rear terrace of 3 x 3 bed two storey dwellings and a pair of semi-detached 3 bedroom homes to the front of the site off Warmwell Road. The site, if developed,  would offer ten car parking spaces, compared to the existing three.

Crossways parish council chairman Andrew Brewer says the trend to create developments at a greater density has been opposed by local councillors: “The Parish Council is very concerned at the number of speculative developments being submitted which seek to cram more and more dwellings on smaller and smaller pieces of land.  There is concerns about the road infrastructure, speeding cars on the B3390, car parking problems with the very popular Co-op and access for emergency vehicles,” he said.

Comments on the proposals remain open until April 20th with a decision expected to be made by planning officer.