We, the undersigned, strongly object to the proposed over development and allocation of 5,446 new houses in Lytchett Minster and Upton as part of the Draft Dorset Local Plan.

The Dorset Local Plan has highlighted sites across Lytchett Minster and Upton to build 5,446 houses. This scale of building would fundamentally change our community — it would be the end of our area as we know it.
And it’s not just here. Across Dorset, the Council seems determined to destroy our heritage and the effectual erasure of villages altogether. Our local infrastructure, amenities and environment are already under strain. They simply cannot cope with development on this scale. 

These plans will:

1. Overstretch local services and infrastructure, including GP surgeries, schools, and utilities, which are already at or beyond capacity.
2. Cause loss of valued greenfield land and harm the rural character and landscape of our parish.
3. Overload local roads and create severe traffic congestion on the A35, Dorchester Road, and surrounding routes, which are already under pressure.
4. Exacerbate flood risks in and around Lytchett Minster.
5. Contradict the principles of sustainable development, by placing thousands of new homes in an area without matching employment opportunities or public transport provision.
6. Undermine fairness in site selection as we are having a significnatly larger proposed share of the housing target in our area and the short consultation period does not allow for a proper community-led scrutiny.

We need to build homes but these proposals are completely inappropriate and unsustainable both socially and environmentally. The current proposals will have a detrimental effect on current residents and the quality of life of future residents. Previous solutions included building two new towns in the County, which would have been more fair and sustainable.

We call on Dorset Council to stop the proposed over development, significantly, reduce the housing allocation for Lytchett Minster & Upton, distribute new housing more fairly, and prioritise brownfield land and genuinely sustainable sites before sacrificing countryside around our parish.

Organised by Cllr Charlie Squires - Lytchett Minster and Upton West