CONCERNS have been raised over proposals for a new vicarage in the garden of the vacant parish home in Christchurch.

The extensive plans, which were submitted just before Christmas, will not go before planning committee at Christchurch Borough Council but instead will be decided by an officer.

At present the application has been recommended for approval.

The decision under delegated powers has sparked concern from Christchurch Conservation Trust which has objected to a number of issues about the planning application.

Now, Roger Street, chairman of the trust, has written to the chairman of the planning committee, Cllr Colin Jamieson, to urge him to refer the proposal to the committee.

And Mike Tizzard, chairman of the Christchurch Antiquarians said he was surprised to hear an application of this magnitude would be decided by an officer rather than going to committee.

“I would like it to go to committee. This is an important archaeological area in the town and needs proper scrutiny”, he said.

The organisation, which maintains an interest in local heritage issues, has made a formal representation to the council regarding the application.

“We would like more archaeological investigation of the site. In our view, what has been done already is not enough,” he added.

Mr Tizzard said the front of the land was an old medieval court and could be of great importance to the town’s heritage.

A review of the Grade II listed house in Quay Road took place last year following the departure of Reverend Canon Hugh Williams.

The Diocese of Winchester conducted a survey of the existing nine-bedroom, three reception room property to assess how appropriate it was for future ministry needs and to identify maintenance issues.

The property committee found the house “unsuitable for reoccupation” and following a consultation earlier this year, proposals for the new vicarage, which will front Church Street, were submitted to www.bournemouthecho.co.uk

The scheme includes a double garage and demolition of part of an existing listed wall fronting Church Street.

Of Georgian design, the new four-bedroom vicarage would be two storeys high with a garage capable of keeping two cars.

An estimated cost of building the new vicarage has been priced between £400,000-£600,000 and a search for alternative properties in the vicinity proved unsuccessful.

A planning statement from agent Savills said access to the new development would be through the listed brick wall with black wrought iron gates in keeping with the Priory gates and Church Hatch, opposite.

Once the new vicarage is constructed the old vicarage will be sold on the open market.