Plans for West Parley homes set to be approved

The proposals for the forst phase of a site east of New Road will come before the area planning committee on Wednesday – with a recommendation for approval.

In principle, or outline, permission for the Bellway Homes Wessex development was first granted in 2021 after initially being proposed in 2017.

The detailed application, which officers are suggesting should be approved, includes allotments, public open spaces and proposals for access off Christchurch Road and New Road.

Read more: Construction begins on new Lidl supermarket in West Parley

Many of the details of the scheme have been changed, through negotiation, since it was first suggested although objections remain.

Twenty three per cent of the initial homes (56) will be affordable, the percentage to be reviewed when half the homes planned for the site have been occupied, with an expectation of at least 17 more affordable homes in the second phase.

The 20 hectare farm site is in the Parley Cross area south east of the junction of the A347 Christchurch Road and the B3073 New Road. Land to the south is within the Green Belt with the 68-place Parley Place care home, currently under construction is to the east of the site.

The outline consent included permission for up to 386 homes together with small shops and offices, including a foodstore. The additional homes and commercial units are expected to be the subject of a later, separate, full application.

Read more: Calls for change as phase one of controversial housing project unveiled

West Parley and Hurn parish councils say they have concerns about the density of the scheme and 3-4 storey homes on parts of the site and claim that the proposed link road may not be fit for purpose. Their submission also voices concerns about some of the other roads and what is claimed may turn out to be insufficient parking with a risk of emergency vehicles being unable to gain access because of on street parking in some places.

Some of the sixty objectors have voiced similar concerns in their letters to Dorset Council and over a proposed 20mph limit which, some say, does not have physical measures in place to enforce it.

A handful of letters have been received supporting the application, saying that new homes are needed in the area, especially those designated as “affordable.”

Read more: West Parley major homes plan: Public invited to exhibition

Most of the homes proposed for the site will be two and three-bed with a total of 468 parking spaces, 332 of these allocated to a particular property, 110 unallocated and 33 visitor spaces and another eight spaces alongside an open area.

In recommending approval of the scheme planning officer say in their conclusion: “The proposal provides first housing, including affordable housing, that will make a significant contribution towards meeting local housing needs.

"The design and layout proposed is the result of an iterative design process, and will provide an attractive landscape led development with good standards of amenity for future occupants.

“Having had regard to the representations of objection and support and the advice of the various consulted parties, it is considered that on balance the benefits of the scheme significantly outweigh the impacts. Overall, within the parameters set by the outline consent, the proposal represents sustainable development”