A FOOTPATH is to temporarily close for six months from this week as progress on a major housing scheme advances towards completion. 

A 250m public footpath will be closed in West Parley between New Road and Church Lane from Friday, June 16 for around 26 weeks. 

Closed in accordance with health and safety regulations, it will make way for the ongoing construction of 238 new homes on empty land. 

John Sellgren, executive director of place at Dorset Council, said: “Any person who uses or permits the use of the route in contravention of the order will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000.”

Read more: Plan for hundreds more homes on controversially approved project

As reported, the developer Bellway is currently delivering on phase one of a 386-home development on former green belt land east of New Road. 

Developers earlier this year submitted a fresh planning application to deliver 148 homes as part of the second phase of the scheme. 

The development, to be named Kingsmere Park, will consist of a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses. 

Hundreds of people have criticised the development and written letters of objection. 

A West Parley Parish Council representative said the area did not have “enough schools, doctors, dentists, community facilities to cope with the increase to the town’s population”.