PLANS for a home and new offices at a Christchurch plot have been halted over concerns they would cause “significant environmental harm”.
Libra Homes’ latest scheme to redevelop 126 Purewell has been refused by BCP Council.
The developer sought permission to convert an existing dwelling at the site into offices, and then construct a four-bedroom dwelling house to the rear of the site.
An existing workshop was to be demolished under the plans to provide space for car parking, and new access formed from Diary Close to serve the proposed dwelling.
Libra Homes said the proposal was a “sustainable form of development, contributing to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Christchurch”.
It claimed the proposed changes would “make more efficient use of urban land”.
The application was also said to “resolve the reasons” given in the refusal of a previous version of the scheme.
Following its submission in February, the revised version received three objections.
They raised concerns including the proposed development’s scale and design, ‘inadequate parking’, risk of flooding and the impact on wildlife.
In a report recommending the application for refusal, a BCP Council planning officer said: “There will be some economic benefits from the construction phase and additional social benefits from the increased population and choice of homes.
“However, the scheme is considered to have significant environmental harm. The development is considered to fall within the category of requiring a sequential test in relation to flooding for which no assessment has been made.
"The development therefore fails the sequential test.”
The officer also noted the proposal would have “adverse impacts” on a protected Beech tree located within the site.
They added: “The proposal will have a direct and indirect impact on the long-term longevity and wellbeing of this TPO tree, as the structure is situated within the root protection area of the tree and close to its canopy.”
BCP Council refused the revised planning application on Tuesday, May 14.
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