Christchurch care home plan refusal appealed by developer

Pennyfarthing Homes Ltd’s outline application for the site in Hurn Way was met with more than 150 objections from residents as well as opposition from Christchurch Town Council and Natural England.

The proposal was considered by BCP Council’s planning department, with officers refusing the scheme under delegated powers last summer.

Pennyfarthing Homes Ltd has now exercised its rights to appeal this decision to the Planning Inspectorate.

A Government-appointed planning inspector has received written representations from the relevant parties and is currently assessing the case.

Pennyfathhing Homes Ltd first submitted the application to BCP Council in December 2019.

Picture: Pennyfarthing Homes Ltd

A planning statement submitted on the applicant’s behalf by Spruce Town Planning said proposed care home was of a high-quality design that would be in keeping with the character and appearance of the area.

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They added: “The proposals will provide a new care home which is of an appropriate design and will respond well to the character of the area, whilst being accessible to local services.

“The proposals preserve the character and appearance of the area and the proposals use land efficiently by creating an additional accommodation in a highly accessible location.”

Natural England raised concerns because of the site’s close proximity to the Town Common site of special scientific interest (SSSI), special protection area (SPA) and special area of conservation (SAC).

Christchurch Town Council opposed the plan as members felt it the scale, bulk mass and heigh of the development rendered the scheme inappropriate in design and character to the surround residential area.

BCP Council planning officer Kevin Chilvers said the applicant had not adequately demonstrated that there was a demand or need for further care homes in the area.

Mr Chilvers also said the developer had not shown the proposals will cause no harm to the SPA and SAC heathland.

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His report said: “There are significant economic benefits to the provision of 30 full-time equivalent posts as a result of the proposals which weigh in favour of the proposals.

“However, in view of the lack of a demonstrable need for the development, it is considered that there would not be positive social factors to weigh in favour of the development.”