KPPC has gained planning permission for 20 new apartments on a redevelopment site in Bournemouth town centre despite objections.
We were instructed to take on the project after an earlier application for the scheme in Holdenhurst Road was refused by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council.
KPPC advised on design and negotiated through to approval at committee against a conservation officer objection and opposition from local councillors.
We successfully argued that the location has been identified as a suitable location for higher density regeneration and has been evolving over the past decade.
Phoebe Milner, senior planning consultant with KPPC who supported the application at committee, said: “We maintained that the proposals were appropriate to that evolving character of the area and give the opportunity to make efficient use of urban land to provide additional housing in a manner which results in an enhancement to the area.”
Members of BCP Council’s planning committee gave planning permission with conditions for the demolition of two detached unused commercial properties with flats above and the development of 20 apartments – 14 with one bedroom and six with two bedrooms.
The three-storey scheme – in a highly sustainable location close to the town centre and public transport routes – also includes landscaping, cycle storage, 32 cycle parking spaces and a large lawn. There will be next boxes for birds.
Due to its location, the development is car-free in line with BCP Parking Standards in Zone B locations.
It is stepped back from the front of the site with a new frontage to ensure that no views towards the nearby Grade II Listed St Mary’s Church are interrupted by the development.
The application was supported by a BCP planning officer who recommended the application for approval on the basis that there were clear benefits in the public interest and against this no unacceptable harm.
Their report to the committee recognised that work had been carried out to address concerns raised when a 26-flat scheme was refused in July 2024.
With BCP Council unable to demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply – standing at 2.55 years as of February 2026 – the provision of 20 new homes was given significant weight.
Phoebe said: “The scheme provides an excellent opportunity to redevelop an existing site which is underutilised and in need of regeneration, within a highly sustainable location.
“The design was carefully considered to respect and enhance the street scene when compared against the existing buildings and ensures that the development will not be overly dominant within the setting of the Church of St Mary and will on balance preserve its significance as derived from its setting.
“It will make a positive contribution to the local area and comply with the Development Plan as a whole and the National Planning Policy Framework.
“It will breathe new life into a site where ground floor commercial units have fallen out of use and are no longer fit for purpose, and create much needed new homes in a high-quality and attractive development.
“We are pleased that the planning committee recognised the benefits of the scheme and were able to give permission for this application.”
KPPC acted on behalf of Clifton Developments Ltd.
Other project partners were:
(Image: ARC Architecture)
