Plans for 50 flats in Bournemouth Road, Poole, refused

Fayrewood Property Ltd applied to BCP Council in July 2020 to demolish six homes at The Old Joinery in Bournemouth Road and replace them with two apartment blocks.

One block would be comprised of 40 flats and the second would house 10, but with zero car parking spaces except for two disabled spots and one for loading only.

At the time, planners Chapman Lily said the buildings would provide a “very comfortable living environment for future residents” who would enjoy “modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation meeting an identified need for one and two-bed homes”.

Residents and local NHS services were, however, less positive.

Aerial image of 281-291 and The Old Joinery Bournemouth Road, Poole. (Image: Google)

Nick Wardlaw said: “The conversion of six family homes into [50] flats is a gross overdevelopment of the site and will lead to a loss in the type of property needed to serve the increasing number of families in the area.”

The lack of parking also drew the ire of several residents, who felt other local road networks would become swarmed with an influx of cars as a result.

• Read more: 50 flats on site of 8 homes in Branksome Wood Road refused

“There is not enough local parking as it is, how are an extra 50 properties going to make the situation any easier for the local residents?” asked John Fraser.

He later added: “As the developers’ preference is cycle parking over car parking, maybe they should stipulate the workmen and contractors are to cycle to site for the development duration.”

Fayrewood made several amendments to the proposals in November 2020 and twice in early 2021 to heed concerns raised.

CGI of proposed flat blocks at 281-291 and The Old Joinery Bournemouth Road, Poole (Image: ARC Architecture)

Stretches to local infrastructure was also a main concern for objectors and Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group - who asked for a financial contribution from developers if the proposals were approved to help alleviate costs associated with expanding its facilities.

Following more than one year of the plans lay dormant, residents in limbo queried the state of play. Resident Matthew Ostler asked: “What's happening? It's been nearly two years. I'm shocked this is still open with no update.”

On October 26, BCP Council officially rejected the plans with its planning officer siding with residents in describing the design as “unduly cramped and congested”.

They also found the proposal, located opposite St Joseph & St Walburga's Church, would result in “poor quality living conditions for the prospective occupiers of the new dwellings.”