PLANS to build dozens of homes in a north Dorset village have been approved.

Concerns had been raised that the 27-home development of Pleydells Farm would add to the “dreadful” traffic problems in Okeford Fitzpaine.

However, P and J Okeford Fitzpaine said its proposals, including having 40 per cent of the houses be ‘affordable’, would make a “significant and sustainable” contribution to the area’s housing need.

A statement submitted with the application said the site was “ideal” for providing new housing.

“There is a clear and identified need for additional housing in North Dorset,” it said.

“The proposals provide a high-quality housing scheme that will make a significant and sustainable contribution towards addressing that need.”

However, people living in the village said they feared the impact the extra housing could have on traffic.

Susan Clay said: “We already have a dreadful traffic problem in the village and have instituted a community speed watch initiative to try and ameliorate the situation.

“The Castle Lane/Higher Street route is used as a rat run by vehicles ranging from bikes to huge articulated and tanker lorries.

“Drivers treat it as a super highway instead of a minor village road and speed through as if on a motorway.

“We do not wish to add to the misery caused by these selfish drivers by encouraging even more cars doing regular journeys onto our overloaded village streets.”

Despite their concerns, no objections were put forward by council highways officers and the application has been approved by Dorset Council.

Planning officer Clare McCarthy said the additional housing “overrode” the other considerations.

“Great weight is afforded to the significance of the conservation area and the surrounding listed buildings,” she said.

“However, the loss of the setting would not be clearly demonstrable and could be considered to be neutral when set against the removal of substantial farm buildings.”

She added that the additional housing would help to meet the need in the village which “has not yet been fully met”.

Planning permission was granted on Tuesday.