PUBLIC comments have opened on a proposal for up to 1,700 homes at Alderholt – which would double the village population.

The Alderholt Meadows site is off Ringwood Road, opposite the village recreation ground.

Bournemouth-based Developer Dudsbury Homes describe the scheme as "a 21st Century community".

It is likely to include, if approved, up to 10,000 square metres of employment space on a small business park, a village centre with shops, health and other community facilities and a range of open spaces.

The initial application to Dorset Council is for outline, or ‘in principle’, consent only and does not include access to the site from Hillbury Road at this stage.

The formal application follows a public consultation in July 2022, attended by around 450 residents, with an accompanying website set up to outline the proposals.

Feedback from residents highlighted the need for improved essential services, including a doctor's surgery, pharmacy and dentist.

Dudsbury Homes say the £70 million investment will feature 35per cent of the homes as ‘affordable” with commitments to improve St James’ School to include further school years and a new medical centre. More than seven miles of new cycle routes and footpaths are also promised with six hectares of the site earmarked for solar panels.

The application shows a range of housing with around 500 flats or maisonettes of one or two bedrooms.

Around 150 are listed as ‘starter homes’.

A handful of residents have already made formal comments on the application – each concerned about the scale and impact it will have on village life.

Said one: “Alderholt is a lovely village which we love to live in. However, access to the village is already difficult as the roads in are not suitable for lots of traffic. If the traffic increases it would be detrimental to the current residents. It would also change the landscape of this lovely village as it will be over-crowded. Ultimately all this would contribute to value of property being affected.”

Said another, from Daggons Road: “Concerns around the impact of such a large development to a small village. This will completely change the character of the village and affect those who moved for that small village atmosphere. Also, concerns around the level of noise created by such a large development as well as light pollution.”

The Dorset Council planning reference is 2023/01166 with public comments open until April 29th.