Replacing a barn with a three-bed home at Loders is being recommended for approval – despite an objection from the parish council.

Dorset Council's area planning committee will decide the application today (Thursday) at an online meeting.

Loders parish council say the site, at West Combe, Smishops Lane, is outside of the defined development boundary and the proposal will not enhance the conservation area or provide an acceptable development in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A public letter of objection says using the site is not in line with the Loders Neighbourhood Plan and extra noise and light pollution may affect wildlife.

Dorset Council planning officers say despite the concerns they do not believe the home would have an undue impact on the area and is acceptable in terms of design. They say the barn is redundant and the site itself shielded by tall trees on all four sides. The new home is proposed to be built of stone, slate and timber.

The AONB team in its submission tells councillors: "the site is remarkably well concealed within a small coombe on the southern slopes of Waddon Hill…visual impact is judged to be low."

A planning officer's report suggests councillors approve the application: "Overall, it is considered that there are no material harmful effects that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the social, economic and environmental benefits of the development… The proposed development is not within but is adjacent to the village defined development boundary and has good pedestrian connectivity to the facilities on offer in Loders thereby aiding the vitality of the village. In the light of the current housing land supply position (less than the Government target of 5 years), the proposal to replace the existing agricultural building would make a small but positive contribution to the supply of housing where there are no other obvious and adverse planning impacts to justify a refusal of planning permission."