Agenda item

Demolition of existing built form and the erection of three dwellinghouses with associated parking and landscaping. As amended by plan received 14.3.25 to obscure glaze part of bedroom window on rear elevation and insert additional first floor window on NE elevation.

The Case Officer used plans and aerial photographs to identify the site and explained the proposal, relevant planning policies, and site context. The proposed dwellings featured traditional design elements including brick walls, tiled roofs, inset windows, and chimney detailing. Visuals demonstrated that the design aligned with the surrounding street scene. The principle of development was considered acceptable. The scale, design, and spacing were appropriate and caused no harm to local character. The proposal complied with the Christchurch and East Dorset Local Plan (CED)Policy LN2 by achieving suitable density and providing adequate internal and external amenity space in accordance with national standards. Separation distances, including 24m to the northwest, were deemed sufficient. Obscure glazing, which was included in Conditions 12 & 13, were also proposed to mitigate overlooking.  The landscaping condition was amended to include a requirement to erect 1.8m high close-boarded fencing on the site’s boundary with 45 Woolsbridge road.

Flood risk was assessed as low based on site-specific groundwater monitoring. A surface water management strategy was proposed and accepted by the Council’s drainage engineers, meeting the requirements of CED Policy ME6 and Section 14 of the NPPF. Nine on-site parking spaces were provided, and any additional on-street parking would serve as traffic calming. No protected trees were present, and the scheme maintained an appropriate relationship with surrounding vegetation, in line with CED Policy HE2. The ecological impact on Dorset Heathlands and the New Forest Special Conservation Area was acknowledged and the officer recommendation relied on completion a planning obligation in this respect. The proposal also addressed identified national and local housing needs.

Public Participation

Roy Burgess objected to the proposal, citing the Parish Council’s concerns about overdevelopment in an area largely comprised of bungalows. He raised concerns about garages positioned near the boundary, the need for boundary screening and the potential impact of construction on roots of existing cherry and laurel trees growing close to the site boundary. While not opposed to development of the plot, he considered a bungalow more appropriate and suggested modifications were needed.

Giles Moir, on behalf of Ashley Limited, thanked the Committee and noted close collaboration with Case Officers, including pre-application advice. He highlighted the site’s urban location and the contribution the proposal would make toward Dorset’s housing need, particularly for family homes. The agent emphasised the scheme’s quick delivery, quality chalet-style design, adequate separation distances, and off-street parking. He acknowledged the proposed obscure glazing condition and noted no objections apart from the Parish Council. He expressed hope for the Committee’s support.

Members questions and comments

• Members emphasised the importance of protecting tree and hedge roots during construction and requested an informative note to ensure appropriate measures were taken
• Clarification was sought on the dimensions of the proposed garages.
• Members thanked the Case Officer for a comprehensive report, noting the site had remained vacant and neglected for several years. They welcomed the revised scheme proposing three dwellings, which were considered to complement the properties opposite.
• Additional planning conditions were requested by way of an amendment to the existing landscaping condition to secure hard landscaping details and provision for fencing.
• Although there was no mandatory requirement for sustainability features, members expressed disappointment at the absence of solar panels and considered it a missed opportunity.
• Clarification was requested regarding the location and size of windows with obscure glazing. Cllr Coombs noted that no floor plan had been provided and raised concerns about a secondary window not providing adequate outlook. The information did not alleviate their unease.
• Members shared concerns previously raised, particularly regarding the lack of sustainable materials and the constraints of plot 2. Garage sizes were also raised as a concern.
• The need for sustainable development was highlighted. Members referenced the goal of achieving net zero and expressed the view that future policies, including a revised Local Plan under the new administration, should mandate the inclusion of sustainable materials such as solar panels.

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application and an understanding of all this entailed; having considered the officer’s report and presentation; the written representatives; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to APPROVE the officer’s recommendation to grant as recommended, was proposed by Cllr Barry Goringe, and seconded by Cllr Spencer Flower, subject to conditions set out in the officer report and additional landscaping conditions and tree/shrub root protection during construction.

Decision: GRANT, subject to receipt of a satisfactory legal agreement to provide the necessary mitigation for the proposal’s impact on the New Forest National Park Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation, Site of Special Scientific Interest & Ramsar site and the conditions as set out at the end of the report. As well as an amendment to landscaping[KC1] [KC2]  condition 7 and an Informative note regarding root protection during construction.

or

B) REFUSE permission for the reason set out within the report if the agreement is not completed by 4 December 2025 (6 months from the date of committee) or such extended time as agreed by the Head of Planning.