TWO development sites which may bring almost 200 homes to Gillingham are being considered by Dorset councillors this week.

Eighty homes are being proposed north of Common Mead Lane and up to 115 south east of Lodden Lakes with access to the site from New Road.

Both applications come as ‘in principle’ requests and, if approved, will be followed with detailed designs at a later stage.

Northern area planning committee members are being recommended to grant both developments when they meet in Sturminster Newton on Thursday.

The 80-home scheme, over 4 hectares, includes 25% ‘affordable’ housing, a local play area, outdoor sports areas and contributions to school places, bus services and improvements to rights of way.

Initially the proposal had been for 85 homes, but has been reduced after concerns about the density.

Gillingham town council has objected to the proposals – along with 128 letters residents, two supporting.

Objections include a lack of infrastructure in the town to support the development, claims that the location is unsustainable and outside the settlement boundary; increased traffic, and had been earmarked for sports pitches in the Neighbourhood Plan, not housing.

The larger scheme, over almost 7 hectares, also includes 25% affordable homes and contributions to local facilities, an informal play areas and a play trail.

Gillingham town council has not objected to the application and there have been only three letters – one of which has welcomed the new homes while the Gillingham and District Anglers Association initially wrote to express concerns about water supply to the lakes, but then withdrew its objection after further talks with the developers.

Gillingham is identified in the North Dorset Local Plan as one of four main towns for growth and one of the most sustainable locations for housing development, accommodating about 39% of new housing in North Dorset between 2011 and 2031, “reflecting its economic potential, the availability of suitable sites and the relative lack of environmental constraints.”