The first part of the development, north-east of Dorchester and north-west of Stinsford, would cover 27 hectares (67 acres) of the large masterplan site, which measures about 385 hectares (950 acres).
Campaigners previously said there was “no need for the homes and to develop 950 acres of land” that would “ruin the open countryside around the county town”.
They said the countryside had “heritage and cultural significance and important links to Thomas Hardy”.
Dorset Council has proposed using the site for development since 2018 and the project has been part of the government’s Garden Communities Programme since 2019.
The developers said the new community would create a new northern link road for the town, “relieving pressure on the High Street and southern bypass”.
They also said a new public country park would form part of the wider development.
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