Housing plans for Barrack Road in Christchurch refused again

The latest application by developers Fortitudo to build a block of flats and houses at the corner of Barrack Road and The Grove has again been refused by the council’s planning committee over flooding fears.

After initial plans for a 51-flat and four-house scheme at the site were rejected last year, Fortitudo tabled scaled down proposals for 35 flats and four dwellings.

The scheme would also have catered for 15 parking spaces and 61 cycle spaces.

At present, the site is grassland with advertisement hoardings along the back.

The land at Barrack Road and The Grove in Christchurch

Plans were brought before the planning committee on Thursday, July 21, after more than 20 letters of support were submitted.

Committee members were generally more receptive to the reduced size of the new design, however concerns of overdevelopment and flood risk were cited as reasons for refusal.

The meeting heard how the site is in a medium-risk flood zone and it was likely to become high risk in the future. Because of this it failed a sequential test, which compared the site with four other possible sites over their flood risks.

Fortitudo director Richard Carr spoke at the meeting where he took issue with the findings, highlighting how neither the Lead Local Flood Authority nor Environment Agency had raised any concerns.

He noted how a nearby development was approved by the council despite also being within the same flood risk zone.

Proposed development site on the corner of Barrack Road and The Grove in Christchurch. Picture: Google

Mr Carr also said the new homes would be well suited for young people and NHS workers moving to the area amid extensions to Bournemouth Hospital, adding: “Is the council really in a position to throw away opportunities such as this?”

The proposal also had supporters within the committee.

Cllr Marion Le Poidevin said: “To me, it’s a great improvement. The hoardings are not a very good welcome into Christchurch. Whereas this, if the finished article is like the CGI, would be a good addition.”

Cllr Tony O Neil said development at the site was “overdue” and it would benefit from strong public transport links.

However, others were not sold.

Cllr Tony Trent said the provision for 15 parking spaces for 39 homes was “ridiculous”, and Cllr Simon McCormack recalled a story from his grandparents who once rode a motorboat down the area after a large flood, adding: “We can’t be sure it won’t happen again”.

Members ultimately voted in favour of following the officer's recommendation to refuse the plans.