Dudsbury Homes, a development company with its roots in Dorset, is delighted to announce the submission of an outline planning application to Dorset Council for Alderholt Meadows.
The planning submission follows widescale public engagement in Summer 2022 which helped Dudsbury Homes to evolve the comprehensive vision for an inclusive 21st Century community at Alderholt Meadows.
Dudsbury Homes’ vision is for Alderholt Meadows is a sustainable and community-focused development of 1,700 new family homes that leaves an outstanding legacy that others look to for inspiration for many years to come. Dudsbury Homes recognises that it is imperative for new development to provide infrastructure and is therefore committed to a significant investment in meaningful infrastructure delivery alongside new housing, which will not only meet the needs of new residents, but also provides much needed services and facilities for existing Alderholt residents.
This includes the key community benefits listed below, which provide a snapshot of the many significant benefits. A document summarising these benefits can also be downloaded using the button below:
Education – Funding improvements at St James’ First School
Feedback from our community engagement highlighted challenges in the educational experience for children in Alderholt, particularly due to the daily commutes to Wimborne for secondary education. These commutes not only inconvenience but also socially isolate the children from Alderholt.
In response, Alderholt Meadows proposes an Educational Review exploring either significant expansion of the existing St. James First School or enhancement by establishing a direct and practical connection to The Burgate School, effectively eliminating the need for the current 1-hour bus rides.
The Education Review will assess the feasibility of either transitioning to a two-tier educational system (with connection to The Burgate) or significant investment into the existing First School. These plans will cater to the evolving needs of the community and are aligned with the Council’s updated educational policies.
Healthcare – A new medical centre, pharmacy and dentist
Currently, there are no medical, dental or pharmacy facilities in Alderholt. The medical facilities in Fordingbridge are in a dated and overstretched old residential property.
We have been engaging with the Fordingbridge GP practice from an early stage and have evolved a package of new modern facilities in Alderholt to be delivered as part of Alderholt Meadows. This will transform the healthcare provision for all residents from Alderholt and free up capacity in Fordingbridge.
Public transport – A new 6 day bus service to Fordingbridge and Ringwood funded for 7 years
Our discussions with local people have highlighted the lack of sustainable transport options for people currently living in Alderholt.
We will therefore invest in a return bus service running to Fordingbridge and Ringwood, six days a week. The bus service is proposed as half hourly in peak periods and hourly otherwise.
This service has been agreed with a local provider and would be funded by Dudsbury Homes for the first seven years after which time it will be a viable service in its own right. The convenience of an hourly bus service to surrounding settlements will be hugely beneficial to every resident and child of Alderholt.
Housing need – Providing the right homes in the right places
Alderholt Meadows will provide 1,700 new homes outside of the Green Belt and AONB, in East Dorset where Dorset’s housing need is most pronounced.
Dudsbury Homes is committed to delivering 35% affordable housing across a range of tenures, including shared ownership, affordable rent and First Homes. Alderholt Meadows would therefore help considerably in reducing the Council’s housing waiting list, which stood at approximately 5,698 in April 2024.
Community infrastructure – Investing in everyday facilities
Dudsbury Homes is committed to meaningful infrastructure delivery alongside new housing, which will not only meet the needs of new residents, but also provides much needed services and facilities for existing Alderholt residents.
In addition to the facilities described above, Dudsbury Homes is committed to delivering a significant investment in local infrastructure, including:
- A new village square encouraging markets and providing new local shops, cafés and a second pub, uniting the entire village.
- Highway improvements beyond the development boundary in order to provide an A31 junction improvement and resolve existing pinch points on the wider road network.
- The Alderholt Meadows development will provide a net gain in biodiversity that exceeds the requirement that will be introduced through the Environment Act.
- A commitment to a low carbon energy strategy for the development, including solar arrays providing locally sourced renewable energy.
- Over 53 hectares of Suitable Accessible Natural Greenspace (SANG), equivalent in area to over 70 football pitches.
- Over 11 hectares of further Parks and green corridors, including an additional 5 hectare (12 acre) extension to the recreation ground and 1.5 hectares of allotments.
- Full fibre internet connection for the entire development.
- Over 7 miles of new cycle routes and footpath connections
- Proactive management of public spaces through on-site estate management creating an economic footprint for the development and the wider Alderholt Area.
