A proposal to build 15 new townhouses has been rejected in a planning meeting.
In a unanimous vote western BCP planning committee rejected the application contrary to officer recommendations.
The planning application was seeking to demolish the existing buildings between 281 and 291 Bournemouth Road in Poole and instead build 15 new townhouses in three separate blocks. A car park with 19 spaces would be associated with the new townhouses as would bike storage and bin storage.
Nearly 40 written applications were received about the development during the consultation period. Danielle Oscar and Duncan Jameson both objected to the proposed development at the meeting held on September 15.
Duncan Jameson told the committee he objected as the new townhouses would overlook the back of his property, which would have an impact on his privacy. He also felt that the drawings submitted were “misrepresenting the true visual impact” of the proposed development. Danielle told the committee she was concerned about the cramped conditions of the proposal and the car park adding to the noise around her property.
Giles Myers, speaking on behalf of the applicant, told the committee that the 15 new townhouses would be replacing six existing buildings and that a “collaborative approach has been taken” adding that the applicant had “adopted good suggestions from the council”.
During the committee’s debate on the application councillors raised concerns over the lack of clarity the case officer was able to provide on the distance between houses, size of gardens and the amount of light able to get into properties. Additional concerns were raised about a lack of amenities and cramped living condition, particularly as these townhouses would be likely to attract families.
The biggest cause for concern from councillors came from Block A which is at the back of the site and has a total of five units in. Three of the units will have two-double bedrooms and two single bedrooms. The other two units will have one double sized bedroom and two single sized bedrooms.
Blocks B will have four units and Block C will have six units, all the units in these two blocks will have three double bedrooms.
The motion to refuse the application was brought forward by Councillor Marion Le Poidevin, Chair of Western BCP planning committee.
Please help us grow locally by sharing it with your friends or on social media, and have a listen to Bournemouth One online for all your local news, traffic, jobs, weather, coastal info and more.