456 Christchurch Road Bournemouth BH1 4BA

1. 1.In the opinion of the local planning authority, the development, by reason of its scale and layout would result in overdevelopment of the site, cramped internal layouts, inadequate outlook, substandard amenity space, and poor living conditions for the future occupiers. Similarly, the limited separation distance between the proposed flank window for Bedroom 3 and the flank wall of Bedroom 2 on the ground floor would result in poor outlook and would have a tunnel effect on the main windows serving the habitable rooms of both Bedroom 3 and 4, 456 Christchurch Road and foster an undue sense of enclosure to the detriment of the residential amenity of the future occupiers. The windows of bedrooms 1 and 7 are directly adjacent to the main bin store area. The siting of the cycle store would be a large and overly prominent structure that would be visually intrusive in the street scene. For these reasons, the proposals would be contrary to Core Strategy Policies CS21 and CS41; Policies 6.10 and 6.17 of the Bournemouth Local Plan (2002); Policies BAP1, BAP7 and BAP8 of the Boscombe & Pokesdown Neighbourhood Plan 2019 and Section 3.7 of the Residential Design Guide as well as core planning principles of the NPPF 2026. Additionally, the proposal fails to demonstrate the provision of adequate defensible space for the occupiers of Bedrooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 by virtue of the position of doors and windows relative to the external amenity area for the future occupiers. The proposal is therefore contrary to the objectives of Policies CS21 and CS41 of the Core Strategy; Policy 6.10 of the Bournemouth Local Plan (2002); and section 3.7 of the Residential Design Guide.
2. 2.The development would be harmful to designated Dorset Heathlands SPA (Special Protection Area), Ramsar Site and Dorset Heaths SAC (Special Area of Conservation). The failure to make an appropriate contribution towards mitigation measures would have an adverse effect on the integrity of the sites contrary to the objectives of Policies CS32, CS33 and CS34 of the Bournemouth Local Plan: Core Strategy (October 2012).
3. 3.The site lies within 13.8km of New Forest SAC, New Forest SPA and New Forest Ramsar, which are protected under European legislation for their wildlife importance. It has been demonstrated in the recent report by Footprint Ecology to the New Forest Steering Group (New Forest Strategic Access Management & Monitoring (SAMM) Strategy October 2024) and in agreement with Natural England that additional recreational pressure from additional dwelling(s) have the potential to harm the integrity of these designated sites. The proposed development has not secured the appropriate level of mitigation to safeguard the New Forest designated sites from recreational related impacts. It cannot therefore be ruled out beyond all reasonable scientific doubt that the proposed development would not have an adverse effect on the New Forest designated sites, either alone or in combination with other proposals. Taking a precautionary approach, it is therefore considered that the proposal would be contrary to Section 63 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and paragraph 195 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

BH1 4BA

Application type

Full Planning Permission

Scale / size

Small

Date validated

9 February 2026

Consultation expiry

1 April 2026

Consultation start

12 February 2026

Consultation end

1 April 2026

Agent address

Studio 2 The Focus Building 1 Crimea Road Bournemouth BH9 1AP

Case officer

Richard Sakyi

Documents

13