KKPC has successfully secured planning permission on appeal for a new block of flats in Bournemouth, Dorset.
The scheme involved demolition of an existing block of eight flats and erection of a new building with nine flats at Shelley House on Hawkwood Road in Boscombe.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council refused consent but the Planning Inspectorate has overturned that decision and allowed an appeal under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Planning issues:
The planning authority claimed that the development’s scale, width, design and plot coverage would appear overly dominant within the street scene and be out of keeping with the character and appearance of the area.
However, planning inspector LJ O’Brien explored the design of the scheme in great depth in their report. They said:
“Overall, the front elevation of the building would appear well balanced and cohesively designed and would sit comfortably within the street scene.
“For the reasons set out above, the proposal would reflect the pattern of development in the locality and would not result in an overly dominant building within the street scene.”
They concluded that the proposal would accord with the aims of policies CS21 and CS41 of the Bournemouth Local Plan: Core Strategy, October 2012 (CS), saved Policy 6.10 of the Bournemouth District Wide Local Plan (February 2002) and policies BAP1 and BAP2 of the Boscombe and Pokesdown Neighbourhood Plan.
Amongst other things these policies seek to ensure that all development is well designed and of a high quality.
The development also meets the expectations of The National Planning Policy Framework (The Framework) which promotes high standards of design and states that developments should be visually attractive and sympathetic to the character of the area.
Our comment:
KPPC was very pleased to see the appeal allowed and planning permission granted for the client. This case shows that the council are refusing schemes which are clearly of good design and acceptable.
There is a significant shortfall of housing within the area. The regeneration and replacement of outworn accommodation should be welcomed yet the council are refusing applications based on minor points in relation to detailed design which are clearly not being supported at appeal.
The council should be approving such developments.
(Picture: Tom Frowde Architects)
