A home is to be allowed in the grounds of Saxlingham House, West Road, Bridport.

The site lies within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the northern side of the road behind the two-storey red brick Saxlingham House with a footpath running adjacent to the western boundary of the site.

Dorset planning officers say the contemporary style two storey house with a pitched roof should not look out of place in the area. The original design, since amended, had been for a flat roof.

Symondsbury parish council had expressed concerned about the height and scale of the design.

One objector wrote to Dorset Council to say: “The proposed design and materials do not complement or respects the character of the surrounding area nor does it actively improve or reinforce the sense of place.”

The site plan says that most of the existing hedgerow will be retained along with trees to the northern and eastern boundaries with new planting between the building and Saxlingham House.