Changes have been made to a 32-home scheme at Manor Farm, Winterbourne Abbas.

The revisions mean that the development proposals are again open to public comment until March 22.

Among the alterations are a re-alignment of some of the homes, a change in some designs and the retention, or partial retention, of some original farm buildings.

One of the new features is a courtyard-style layout to the south of the Farm House which will now include the conversion of the West Barn into two homes and a terrace of new homes, in barn-style, to replace the existing buildings.

The Montpellier Land and Development company say they have made the changes as a result of public comments.

The application for the 1.5 hectare site included proposals for parking, demolition of several farm buildings, a public open space, off-road parking, bio-diversity measures and off-site flood storage. It also seeks to modify the existing access off Manor Farm Lane.

Agents for the developers say the buildings proposed for demolition are either large modern farm structures that detract from the character of the village conservation area.

One of the buildings to be retained, the stone bat barn, at the front of the site, has been home to the rare long eared grey bat for a number of years, a protected species.

Spaces for around 60 cars and 20 cycle spaces are included in the scheme.

A total of 21 of the homes would be for market sale with seven for social, affordable or intermediate rent and four listed as affordable homes. Most would be two or three bedroomed.

The village has been identified as one of the key villages for some development to help protect the facilities it has – including the village school, almost opposite the site and the garage and store which is adjacent to the site on the same side of the road.