News, sport and entertainment from the Bournemouth Echo and Dorset Echo.

Villagers lose estate battle

From the Echo, first published Friday 16th Apr 2004.

A MODERN housing development has been given the green light despite strong objections.

Frampton residents hit out at proposals to build 11 houses and four flats in a conservation area in their village, branding the design an eyesore on the rural landscape.

Councillors approved the application from Renaissance Developments Ltd after hearing that English Heritage was backing the plans for Manor Farm, Dorchester Road.

Existing barns made of corrugated iron will be demolished to make way for the new development, which is to have an almost flat roof and will be made from render, timber cladding and stone.

Each home is to have two or three bedrooms and will share a central courtyard, as well as having its own private garden at the rear.

Nearby residents spoke out against the scheme at West Dorset District Council's development control east committee.

Peter Emery, of Frampton, likened the proposed buildings to `a 1970s science block or Italian holiday apartments'.

He said: "They are an insult to the village, villagers and council policy."

Chairman of Frampton Parish Council Peter Cox said that all 40 people who attended a meeting held to discuss the application opposed it.

He added: "It is totally out of character in a conservation area and is surrounded by Grade I and II listed buildings."

The meeting heard residents were concerned that access to the new homes was not wide enough for a fire engine to drive through in an emergency, and the buildings would add to sewerage problems.

Councillor Mary Penfold said she was `disappointed' with the plan.

"We are a beacon council and look at innovative developments, but I cannot see how it blends in, in harmony with other buildings.

"It is too modern a statement to sit in Frampton within an area of traditional farm buildings," she added.

Among those in favour of the scheme was Coun Stella Jones who said: "I do feel a contemporary building could fit in well in a conservation area. We cannot continue building in the style of a hundred years ago."

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