VILLAGERS in North Dorset are eagerly awaiting the rubber-stamping of a plan that will help to safeguard the unique and beautiful character of their picture-book neighbourhood.

Public consultation on the Child Okeford Village Design Statement has now been completed and district bosses are currently collating the information.

Councillors are due to adopt the final version of the design statement as official planning guidance at the end of the month, which will mark the end of a road that has taken villagers and their parish council two years to travel.

Parish councillor Derek Duke chaired the committee spearheading the new design statement. He said: "This is something that has been driven by our villagers to try and halt the number of urban four-bedroom homes creeping into the village, which are completely out of keeping with the area and far too expensive.

"There are just too many of them. Local young people have to move away because they cannot afford to live here and there is no new suitable accommodation for them.

"All we're trying to do is safeguard the rural character of the village and our existing community.

"This design statement will be adopted as a supplementary planning document, which will then have to be taken into account by planners before making decisions."

In a comprehensive survey of residents, 45 per cent say they want no further growth, with the remaining 55 per cent opting for modest growth if small, affordable homes are included.

A staggering 95 per cent of villagers say they are against the development of any further housing estates, and 85 per cent favour "character" housing to reflect the rural nature of the village.

Some 85 per cent feel strongly that local people should make the decisions on local planning issues.