NUFFIELD Health and the Talbot Village Trust have appealed BCP Council’s non-determination of a rejected planning application. 

It is not the end of the road for the proposed private hospital and so-called innovation quarter planned for Highmoor Farm in Talbot Village, Poole. 

BCP Council’s planning committee went against its officers to refuse the application at a hearing which lasted nearly four hours in October.

However, a spokesperson for the applicants has said an appeal has been lodged after a decision notice has not yet been issued. 

Bournemouth Echo: Aerial view CGIAerial view CGI (Image: Townshends/Kendall Kingscott/Nuffield Health)

The spokesperson said: "Our planning application for a new Nuffield Health hospital and innovation quarter was recommended for approval by council officers in October and received no objections from statutory consultees.  

“However, members of the planning committee resolved to refuse the planning application and we have since been carefully considering our next steps.

Read more: Nuffield Hospital and Innovation Quarter plans rejected

“With no formal decision notice issued by BCP in the eight weeks since committee, we are appealing against BCP Council's non-determination of the planning application. 

“We remain committed to delivering increased healthcare capacity to support the local community, and creating a positive impact for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) by attracting new jobs and investment into the region, whilst supporting the environment with a new 30-acre Heathland Support Area to protect Talbot Heath and boost biodiversity.” 

Bournemouth Echo: Protesters outside the planning committee meeting in OctoberProtesters outside the planning committee meeting in October (Image: Daily Echo)

Nick Dobbs, one of the leading campaigners against the plans, said he was not surprised an appeal has been made. 

He said: “It is an application and they have the right to appeal the council’s decision. It’s now a due process that will take its course. 

“We’ve got a huge amount of people behind us that think this is the wrong way to go about the application and are prepared to fight it and that position hasn’t changed.” 

Councillors refused the application over fears the development would bring too many people to the protected heathland, too many car parking spaces and that it doesn’t protect the green infrastructure. 

In an appeal notice, it is estimated the planning inspectorate will need four days to hear from six witnesses in an inquiry. 

Some 7,000 people signed a petition against the hospital and innovation quarter plans during the consultation stage, with 751 letters sent to BCP Council. 

Most of the objectors didn’t like the plans because of the loss of the Highmoor Farm and its green space. 

BCP Council has been approached by the Echo with questions regarding the decision notice.