Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council have published a draft local plan which will set out planning policies for the foreseeable future.

It is KPPC’s understanding they are seeking to rush this through without proper consideration of the consultation responses.

The plan does not provide for the housing needs of the area and puts in place area specific policies which take away the flexibility required of planning policies to facilitate a merits based approach to design responding to different site characteristics.

The draft plan, for example, identifies a very limited number of “opportunity streets where modest increases in height will be acceptable” with the inference that in all other locations such would not be acceptable.

We are seriously concerned that the proposals will severely restrict the amount of development that will be able to take place.

We are warning that the measures will affect landowners, property owners and all involved in the development and construction industry.

We have urged those in the property sector to rally together to voice any concerns about the policies in the draft plan and has sent a letter alerting those who may be affected.

Ken Parke, managing director of KPPC, said: “We are concerned how these policies will affect your interests.

“We would urge you to take an active interest in this process and seek our advice on how the new policies will affect your interests moving forward, and whether or not we should be submitting objections on your behalf.

“This is an issue which will affect local people and the local economy where there is a serious shortage of housing.

“The draft plan falls well short of meeting housing need. The plan splits the conurbation in to designated neighbourhoods with specific policies for each.

“This is an overly prescriptive approach which adds additional layers of unnecessary control and indeed complexity. This plan will impact upon everyone and requires major scrutiny.”

The draft local plan is due to go out on public consultation in late January 2024 for six weeks.

The council’s timetable shows it being submitted in April with time for examination in public from May 2024 to January 2025 and then adoption from February to April 2025.

BCP Council is also updating its three Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedules and combining them into one.

The draft plan been published on the BCP website in agenda papers for its overview and scrutiny board in early December. It will then go to the council’s cabinet later in December.

Please get in touch with us to find out more about the draft local plan policies and their potential impact.

ENDS