Supporting the village
New housing inevitably brings change, but it can also provide opportunities to support existing village services and facilities. One of the reasons we are engaging at an early stage is to understand where development could provide benefits beyond the site itself.
The proposals provide an opportunity to deliver benefits for the wider Motcombe community alongside the new homes.
These potentially include new affordable housing, public open space, play facilities, improved pedestrian connections and a new car park serving the school and wider community.
Throughout Dorset, many schools have seen declining pupil numbers. This creates potential longer-term challenges for schools and staffing.
There is therefore a local need for affordable housing and the potential benefit of attracting more younger families into the village. New family housing within walking distance of the school therefore has the potential to help support an important existing village facility.
The development would also be expected to make the appropriate financial contributions required through the planning process towards local infrastructure and services.
The precise contributions would be determined as the proposals progress and through discussions with Dorset Council and other relevant organisations.
Improving school drop-off and pick-up
Parking at school drop-off and collection times is another important issue. The emerging masterplan therefore includes a potential pick-up/drop-off facility close to the school, allowing parents somewhere to stop safely for a short period. A pedestrian footpath between the proposed development, the drop-off area and the school is also being explored.
There may also be opportunities for this facility to provide wider community benefits outside school hours, potentially supporting the church and other village organisations.
What happens next?
Following consultation, we will review all the feedback received alongside the continuing technical work. Where appropriate, the emerging masterplan will then be amended before the proposals progress towards a planning application.