Blandford+ Neighbourhood Plan ‘a step too far’ says AONB prior to public hearing

Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) will be represented at a public hearing on Monday 10 April, which will examine the Blandford+ Neighbourhood Plan for a housing, household recycling/waste transfer site and school development.

Richard Burden, landscape and planning advisor for the AONB, said, “Our concerns centre around the development proposals outside the Blandford bypass which would be within the AONB or encompassed by it and separated from the town by the heavily trafficked bypass. The adverse impact of this development on the character and qualities of the landscape of our nationally important AONB is not being taken fully into account.

“The AONB has supported the development allocations in the recently adopted North Dorset Local Plan and the proposals in the Blandford+ Neighbourhood Plan would be a huge step too far.”

Members of Blandford+ will also be making representations to the examiner in support of the plan, the aim of which they say is to maintain the Blandford+ area as a desirable and dynamic place to live and work.

The hearing, to be held at 10.30am at the council offices at Nordon, Blandford, and conducted by examiner Deborah McCann, will focus on the proposals for the development to the north and north east of the Blandford bypass, which will either be within or enclosed by the AONB.

The public can attend, but only those who have been formally invited to participate will be permitted to speak on the day.