Wessex Fields Castle Lane East Bournemouth

1. 1.The formation of a new vehicular access via a signalised traffic junction on Castle Lane East and associated traffic flow, is considered to exacerbate existing traffic congestion at multiple junctions, including collision ‘cluster’ sites, increase the potential for further collisions on the road network, and compromise the integrity of the safe and efficient operation of the bus lane and of the County Distributor Road network as a whole, contrary to the aims of Saved Policy 8.1 of the Bournemouth District Wide Local Plan (2002) which seeks to enhance traffic flow and safety on the road network. The proposed traffic junction also introduces new safety hazards for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to navigate on a busy section of highway network where cognitive overload is a significant concern thereby increasing the potential for conflict between highway users to an unacceptable level and prejudicing the condition of highway safety. This proposal prioritises car journeys in a significantly congested part of the conurbation where investment and encouragement of sustainable travel journeys is the primary aim of the council. A new traffic junction in this location will disrupt the flow of cycle and pedestrian traffic along the transport corridor, resulting in delays to active travel trips and deterring future uplift. Moreover, the proposed design could encourage vulnerable users to undertake dangerous movements across the junction and into the carriageway thereby compromising the existing walking and cycling network and prejudicing the condition of highway safety, contrary to the aims of Policy CS18 of the Bournemouth Local Plan: Core Strategy (2012). The development is considered contrary to the aims of Policies CS18 and CS41 of the Bournemouth Local Plan: Core Strategy (2012), the aims of Saved Policy 8.1 of the Bournemouth District Wide Local Plan (2002), and is contrary to the aims of the National Planning Policy Framework (2024) which seek new development to provide safe and suitable access for all, to give priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements, both within the scheme and with neighbouring areas and to ensure any significant impacts from the development on the transport network (in terms of capacity and congestion), or on highway safety, are cost effectively mitigated to an acceptable degree.
2. 2.It is not clear from the information provided how the Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy has been considered in the design of the development, but the extent of habitat shown on the proposed plans is considered to be limited and not provide an appropriate proportion of onsite habitat provision. As such, it has not been possible for the Council’s BNG Officer to undertake a proper and thorough assessment of the baseline and post-development biodiversity of the site, Therefore, due to the absence of sufficient information relating to pre- development and post development habits, the local planning authority cannot be confident that the statutory biodiversity gain condition is capable of being discharged in accordance with the Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy. As such the proposal is contrary to Policy PP33 of the Poole Local Plan (November 2018) and Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

BH10 6HG

Application type

Full Planning Permission

Scale / size

Small

Date validated

30 May 2025

Consultation expiry

29 October 2025

Consultation start

8 October 2025

Consultation end

29 October 2025

Agent address

Unit 2, Meridian Office Park Osborn Way Hook RG27 9HY

Documents

66