Sandbanks residents to vote in referendum on future development

The Sandbanks Neighbourhood Forum say the millionaire's row has become overdeveloped with a 'rash' of uninspiring and 'poorly considered homes.'

In particular, too many gated mansions have been built around the outer edges of the exclusive peninsula in Poole Harbour.

The group wants to stop anymore 'infilling' of undeveloped plots on Panorama Road - one of the most expensive addresses in the country - to maintain what public sea views are left.

They also propose to end the 'constant push' towards replacing smaller traditional homes with modern three and four storey developments on the Sandbanks panhandle - the narrow causeway leading to the peninsula.

The dual aspect views of the harbour and the sea are at risk of being completely blocked by the high density properties, the document warns.

The Sandbanks Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan has been published under the Localism Act 2011 that gives neighbourhoods more say and power on the future planning of their area.

On July 18, residents of Sandbanks will hold a referendum on whether to accept the plan.

If it gets more than 50 per cent of the vote it will become a legally-binding document that will have major influence on all future planning decisions on Sandbanks, in particular the building of waterfront mansions.

One of the multi-million pounds harbourfront homes currently under construction on Sandbanks is a large Italianate villa that will be the new home of Harry and Sandra Redknapp.

Richard Carr, the chief executive of property developers Fortitudo, said those supporting the plan have not thought through the impact it could have on the value of their own homes in the future.

He also accused those behind it of having double standards.

Mr Carr said: "All those people that live there are basically saying 'we have got our house but we don't want anyone else'. It's driven by selfishness.

"It's a completely anti-development document. It's a very negative document, I think it is a worry, without a doubt.

"It's not good for the local economy, it's not good for working class people - there are thousands of people employed in the building industry."

The plan has been put together over the last three years by the Sandbanks Neighbourhood Forum, an association made up of people who live and work in the area.

The Forum say the plan will 'help protect the unique character and heritage of Sandbanks for the benefit of residents, local businesses and visitors.'

The document states the properties in Panorama Road are now mostly 'large houses on large gated plots with modern and individual designs.'

It adds: "Infilling has reduced the ability of the public to see the views. The name of the road, as Panorama Road, hints at a viewpoint which has now been lost to housing.

"The views and access to the sea should be improved and maintained for members of the public."

The Forum states that further development on Banks Road, the panhandle, 'should be resisted'.

It states: "Most of the traditional style dwellings have been replaced by modern architect-designed residences. There has been a constant push towards increasing heights and density.

"It is considered that any significant further movement in this will cause irrevocable impairment of the landscape and treescape and the wider environment and should be resisted."

The plan also suggests restricting permitted development rights that currently allow for extensions and roof conversions.

Sandbanks was a largely deserted headland in the Victoria era until a hotel was built in the 1880s and then 40 plots of land were put up for sale at public auction in 1896.

Since the 1960s many of the older properties have gradually been demolished and the plots sub-divided and replaced with large detached houses or blocks of flats.

Infilling development became more prominent and by the 1990s there were 500 properties on the peninsula. There are now about 900 homes, about half of which are flats.

Mr Carr ridiculed the thought that people walking along Panorama Road expected to see a sea view.

He said: "When was the last time members of the public walked round Panorama Road to enjoy the view?

"That's just a way of disguising their requirement that they don't want anyone else building there.

"A lot of the people on the forum, they're not indigenous, they've moved here from elsewhere, bought their expensive homes and then decided they don't want anyone else to do the same.

"It's a few men who have whipped up some of the population. I think it will get voted through but I think a lot of people haven't thought it through or considered the consequences of it.

"Their homes will not be worth what they thought when they come to sell because it can't be developed or changed and they are going to be very upset."

Paul de Cordova, chairman of the Forum committee, said in the public consultation: "I believe that Sandbanks is suffering from a rash of poorly considered development which has severely impacted the character of Sandbanks.

"Land plots are subject to overdevelopment with new properties and extensions which lack imagination and pay little regard to their impact on neighbouring properties, particularly in terms of mass, height and proximity to boundaries.

"The Sandbanks community will ultimately decide on the plan. If any community member disagrees with it they will vote accordingly."

The plan has been reviewed by an independent examiner and was approved by BCP Council in May.

The next stage is for the public referendum on July 18.

Only local home owners and residents can vote and if more than 50 per cent vote in favour, it will be adopted and become law.

The plan states: "When the plan is adopted, it will be the first time in modern local planning history that the people of Sandbanks will have a direct and legally binding input into the determination of all planning applications in their area."

Councillor Andy Hadley, the portfolio holder for environment at BCP Council, said: "These are a set of policies that will benefit Sandbanks for residents and visitors for years to come.

"This will make sure they get the right type of development for their neighbourhood."