Nuffield Health will build private hospital in Poole

BCP’s councillors rejected the major scheme that included Talbot Village Trust’s (TVT) ‘innovation quarter’ on Highmoor Farm next to Talbot Heath last October. 

But after BCP Council failed to fill the forms within the statutory time period, the gates were left open for the two applicants to appeal the decision on the grounds of ‘non-determination’. 

And the appeal decision – upheld because the plans were compliant to the Poole Local Plan – could come with hefty costs for the council’s already delicate finances. 

Protesters last October (Image: Daily Echo)

Planning inspector David Cliff said Nuffield Health and TVT are now free to submit costs to BCP Council “with a view to reaching agreement as to the amount”. 

Exactly how much that is remains unclear at this point. 

On upholding the appeal, Mr Cliff said: “Despite the conflict, due to the overprovision of parking and the effects on the significance of heritage assets, the proposal would accord with the development plan when considered as a whole.  

“There are no material considerations that indicate that the appeal should be determined other than in accordance with the development plan. I therefore conclude that the appeal should be allowed.” 

A new private hospital, innovation quarter and 12 hectares heathland support area just off Wallisdown Road was always going to be met with objections. 

And in this case, some 7,000 people signed a petition against the proposals 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 and the potential damage that could be done to nature. 

Naturalist Nick Dobbs called on the new Labour MPs in Bournemouth and Poole to call in a counter appeal.

He said: "It has come as heartbreaking news to hundreds of campaigners that after nearly 15 years trying to save Highmoor Farm, our planning system has ultimately once again chosen the path of a presumption in favour of development.

"The unfortunate timing of the announcement means that unless our newly elected BCP Labour MPs help intervene with a call-in counter appeal, the inspector's ruling stands.   

"It is known from their submissions to the Charity Commission, Talbot Village Trust spent several million pounds over the past three years on planning consultants to get their development ambitions over the line.

"The private Nuffield Hospital and Innovation Quarter will have an impact on the protected wildlife of the internationally recognised Talbot Heath over time and our campaign now moves to a different phase - making these developers accountable for their obligations to safeguard local biodiversity for future generations."

Jo Keeling, chair of the Talbot Village Residents Association, said she is “deeply dismayed” at the decision but is “incredibly proud” of the residents that “everything possible to fight this decision”.  

She said: “While it may comply with the Poole Plan, we have serious concerns for an area we all had a duty to protect and not develop directly next to it.  

“The major concerns for residents include coping with an influx of traffic into an already heavily congested area, as well as increased noise, air pollution and the loss of a very much loved Highmoor Farm - the last urban farm in the conurbation.” 

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for both Nuffield Health and Talbot Village Trust said discussions will be held to work out what happens next.

She said: "We are pleased that the inspector concluded our appeal and found in our favour. Now that we have clarity on the decision for this site, we will take stock and consider our next steps.

"We will keep local residents and neighbours informed in due course as plans progress.”

Existing hospital near Lansdowne

Why the appeal was upheld 

WHILE building a new 11,600 sq m hospital and innovation quarter on Poole’s last urban farm may be controversial, it is legally compliant with Poole’s Local Plan, according to the government. 

Inspector David Cliff set out a number of reasons in his report why the plans can now go ahead. 

One of which is the local plan deems the land – next to Bournemouth University – as being appropriate for a health care facility. 

Some residents had feared that the air quality would be worse in the area from all the extra traffic along the already very busy Wallisdown Road. 

But Mr Cliff said there is “no significant risk of emissions exceeding the current UK Air Quality Strategy”. 

Most lamented the loss of natural habitat, but Mr Cliff argues that the heathland support area would bring environmental benefits including a footfall reduction on the heath and better access for the fire service “to reduce the impact of accidental or deliberate fires”. 

“The proposals would also deliver ecological benefits including a minimum biodiversity net gain of 10% through native tree and hedgerow planting and habitat creation,” he said. 

“Overall, these environmental benefits also carry significant positive weight.” 

He added: “The economic, social and environmental benefits I have set out above are public benefits that together carry very substantial weight.  

“In this case, in spite of the considerable importance and weight given to the harm to each of the designated heritage assets and the great weight given to their conservation, I consider that the harm to them, when considered both individually and cumulatively, would be outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal.”