The Western BCP Planning Committee met to consider planning applications and an appeal report. The meeting was scheduled to consider planning applications for developments on Bournemouth Road and Sandbanks Road, as well as an update on the council's appeal performance. The councillors were also scheduled to receive any requests to speak on planning applications.

Schedule of Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to discuss two planning applications:

• 281 - 291 Bournemouth Road - An outline application to demolish existing buildings and erect up to 15 dwellings in three blocks, with associated parking and access, in the Penn Hill ward. The application, APP/24/00498/P, was called in by Councillor Oliver Walters due to concerns about the impact on the amenity of residents and overdevelopment. The planning application had received over 20 objections from neighbours. The report pack noted that the application sought outline consent, with appearance and landscaping reserved, to demolish the existing dwellings and Old Joinery and redevelop the site for 15 dwellings in three separate blocks, one to the rear and two to the front, with associated car parking, cycle storage and bin storage. The report pack also noted that the latest revised plans were a considerable improvement, with the number of dwellings reduced to 15, resulting in a more spacious development. The report pack stated that the key issues associated with the proposal were:

  • Presumption in favour of sustainable development
  • Principle of development
  • Impact on character and appearance of the area
  • Impact on neighbouring amenity
  • Living conditions of occupants
  • Highways
  • Housing mix
  • Provision of affordable housing
  • Biodiversity Net Gain
  • Ecology
  • Waste
  • Flooding & Drainage
  • Impact on Heathlands
  • Community Infrastructure Levy The report pack stated that the proposed development was liable to a community infrastructure levy charge. The report pack included an Appropriate Assessment Form which stated that the application would have a likely significant effect on the Dorset Heathlands Special Protection Area, the Dorset Heathlands Ramsar Site, the Dorset Heaths Special Area of Conservation and the Dorset Heaths (Purbeck & Wareham) & Studland Dunes Special Area of Conservation. The report pack also included an Arboricultural Impact Assessment Tree Planting document which stated that the project could achieve both objectives of the BCP 2050 Urban Forest Strategy, which are:
  • a 10% increase of existing on-site canopy cover
  • a minimum 10% canopy cover of the site area

• 310 Sandbanks Road, Poole BH14 8HZ - An application to sever the plot and erect a detached dwelling with associated access, parking and landscaping works in Canford Cliffs ward. The application, P/25/00183/FUL, was called in by Councillor Gavin Wright because:

The design of the proposed dwelling is inconsistent with the character of the surrounding area, resulting in a bulky, visually dominant form that disrupts the established rhythm of gaps between buildings and detracts from the open, verdant nature of the locality.

The report pack noted that the area is predominately residential and is going through a process of renewal with many of the original houses being demolished and replaced, which has resulted in variety in the design of the buildings. The report pack stated that the key issues associated with the proposal were:

• Presumption in favour of sustainable development
• Principle of development
• Impact on the character and appearance of the area
• Impact on the residential amenity
• Impact on parking and highway safety
• Drainage considerations
• Sustainability considerations
• Biodiversity considerations
• Waste collection considerations
• SAMM/CIL compliance

The report pack stated that the applicant had paid the Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) contributions.

Appeals Report

The committee was scheduled to receive an Appeal Performance Report updating them on planning appeal decisions determined by the Planning Inspectorate for the last 2 years. The report pack stated that national government monitors the 'quality' of decision making in planning through appeal performance, measured by the percentage of planning decisions overturned at appeal. The report pack also stated that government targets are currently a maximum of 10% of the authorities total number of decisions on applications being made during the assessment period being overturned at appeal. The report pack included a list of live appeals as of 1 August 2025 in Appendix 1.