A NEW application for housing on the site of the former Crown and Anchor pub at Wimborne Minster been refused – after again meeting with objections.

The town council claimed the proposal for seven homes would be an overdevelopment and ruin views along the River Allen.

Town councillors also feared that if the site is developed it will compromise long planned proposals for a bridge across the river.

An objector from Lacy Drive in a letter to Dorset Council said he was“appalled” by the proposals which he claims will lead to the loss of a significant property from the town.

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He also lists risk of flooding, site density, poor visibility on the proposed access: “This proposal is just an attempt to maximise income riding on the back of developments on adjacent sites, on both sides of Walford Bridge. If a development is considered then please refurbish/extend the old pub, or allow a proposal with reduced number of structures,” said Mr Barry Simper.

Another resident, from Cobham Road, had written: “Please save this beautiful building we have enough housing in Wimborne Chase. It will ruin our little town. It should be made into a single residential or 2 semi-detached houses but access to the river should be a right to all.”

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The most recent application was lodged after a previous proposal was rejected for the Crown and Anchor site, now known as Crown House, next to Walford Bridge.

The new outline application sought to demolish the office building and an outbuilding, replacing them with seven homes.

The existing two storey block, believed to date to the 1880s and in the arts & crafts style, is currently used as offices and prior to that was a Hall & Woodhouse public house.

The new application also came from Caspian Developments Ltd, based at Burley in the New Forest.

In rejecting the application Dorset Council decided that the scheme failed to fully consider the flood risk to the proposed new buildings.

Pic – The former Crown and Anchor pub site next to Walford Bridge, Wimborne – courtesy of Caspian Developments/Forum Heritage Services

Illustration – Map showing the site – courtesy of Caspian Developments/Forum Heritage Services