AN ELECTED leader has criticised plans to build flats at a Bournemouth clifftop car park.
Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, said he is against apartments being built at the Southbourne Crossroads car park, and has criticised the developer behind the scheme for having “no interest in the community”.
As reported, Vivir Estates Ltd applied to build four blocks of apartments at the site, providing 27 flats with associated parking.
While the application was initially refused, it has now been approved following an appeal by the developer.
Mr Ellwood said he has met with Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, in attempt to get the decision overturned.
The MP has specific concerns around the loss of parking that will incur with the scheme.
He told the Daily Echo: “We’re not making more land, and therefore places to park are absolutely critical if tourism is seen as a key economic contribution to Bournemouth.
“Once the car parks are gone, they are gone, and parking is already very restricted across Bournemouth itself, not just Southbourne.”
When the application for the site was first refused, a number of councillors shared car parking concerns similar to Mr Ellwood’s.
However, in a report published as part of the appeal, planning inspector Benjamin Webb said it would be “unacceptable" to refuse the scheme based off losing car spaces.
Mr Webb said the Southbourne Crossroads car park sees “very little use” for the “majority of the year” and added in 2017, Bournemouth Borough Council’s cabinet said it was “surplus to requirement”.
Responding to this, Mr Ellwood said: “It was a different council in 2017. Demands change, expectations change, and residents’ views adapt and develop too.
“Understandably, during the winter months, the car park might seem empty, but I don’t believe that is a justification to grant the power to developers who have no interest in the community or societal development of any town- they simply want to sell properties.
“We do require more housing in the conurbation, there’s no doubt about, but there needs to be a wider strategy as to where best to place these developments.
“There are other, and much more appropriate, locations which we could advance and craft in a more responsible way.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel