AJC Group has secured Reserved Matters planning approval for a highly sustainable new housing scheme in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, which will deliver 48 new homes in Glue Hill.
Located south of the A357 and set across 2.59 hectares/6.4 acres, the low-density site has been carefully designed to reflect the character of the local area while helping meet the significant housing need in Dorset. The development will provide a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes on the outskirts of the village with views of open countryside.
AJC Group is working with Registered Providers with the aim of delivering the entire site as 100% affordable housing to make an important contribution towards relieving the 5,406 people on the council’s housing register.
Simon McFarlane, Planning Director at AJC Group, said: “We’re very pleased to receive planning consent for this beautifully designed scheme at Glue Hill. The development will help address Dorset’s growing housing needs and has been shaped and updated to reflect local design traditions and community priorities.
“With a mix of home sizes, traditional architectural features, and high levels of energy efficiency, this is exactly the kind of sustainable, community-led housing that AJC is proud to deliver.”
The site offers a diverse range of detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses, all with private gardens. The architectural design incorporates a variety of materials, including brick, flint, painted brick, render, and slate roofs, resulting in an attractive streetscape. Traditional gable porches and attractive bay windows feature on select plots. Each property includes dedicated parking, and visitor parking is conveniently located throughout the development, ensuring accessibility for both residents and guests.
Located just over 1km from Sturminster Newton town centre, the scheme is within easy reach of a wide range of amenities, including schools, shops, a medical centre, and public transport links. The layout has been refined to include more substantial areas of open space, including a Local Area of Play (LAP) and a landscaped green buffer to protect and enhance biodiversity. Increased hedgerows, new tree planting, and ecological features such as bat, swift and sparrow boxes, hedgehog highways, and a species-rich wildflower meadow will also be delivered.
All homes will be built with a strong focus on environmental performance, incorporating electric vehicle charging points, high-efficiency insulation, and sustainable water use measures, helping reduce running costs for residents and contributing to Dorset’s wider climate goals.
Groundworks on site are expected to begin by September 2025, with the development supporting the employment of over 160 people during construction and generating new economic activity within the local area.
The scheme forms part of AJC Group’s wider ambition to deliver 500 affordable homes across the South by 2028. The business is currently delivering affordable housing developments across Dorset, Hampshire, and the South Coast in partnership with local authorities and registered providers.
To find out more about AJC Group and its work across the region, visit www.ajcgroup.uk.