31 Jumpers Avenue Christchurch BH23 2EP

1. 1.The applicant has (1) failed to provide a properly controlled car parking within the plot, without which such will likely lead to overparking, that such creating conditions prejudicial to the highway safety of all users, on and off site; (2) has failed to provide practical access arrangements to the rear cycle stores, by reason of the substandard path widths to such; as well it having (3) failed to demonstrate that the widened access needed will not result in harm to the health of a highway tree. The open forecourt development represents poor design and is contrary to Policies HE2 and KS12 of the Christchurch Core Strategy (April 2014), the Parking Standards SPD (2021) and NPPF (2024).
2. 2.The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the works undertaken to create the proposal would not harm the highway tree. Therefore, the development is contrary to Policy HE2, whereby development would be permitted if its compatible or improves its surroundings in relationship to mature trees, and Policy HE3, whereby proposals need to demonstrate that natural features such as trees, have been taken into account where development needs to protect and enhance the landscape character of the area of the Christchurch Core Strategy (April 2014).
3. 3.It is considered the development would be harmful to the 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 and is therefore considered to be contrary to Policy ME2 of the Christchurch Core Strategy (2014) and the Dorset Heathlands Planning Framework 2020-2025 supplementary Planning Document (March 2020).
4. 4.It is considered the development would be harmful to the safeguard of 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.
5. 5.The site, by reason of its location, will result in waste water generated by the new residential development creating an additional phosphate load in the River Avon, which could harm the water quality of the River Avon SAC, a European Designated Site. There would be a Likely Significant Effect from the proposed development and in the absence of mitigation, it would not be possible to conclude that there would not be an adverse effect on the integrity of the River Avon SAC. The proposal is likely, alone or in combination with other projects, to have an adverse effect on the ecological integrity of the River Avon SAC. The proposals are therefore contrary to Policy ME1 of Christchurch and East Dorset Local Plan Part 1 - Core Strategy (2014).
6. 6.The applicant has failed to provide sufficient evidence to satisfy the local planning authority that the proposed development would meet the definition of self-build/custom house building as set out within the Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Exemptions) Regulations 2024 and Section 1(A1) of the Self Build and Custom House building Act 2015 and therefore, the local planning authority cannot be confident that the statutory biodiversity gain condition would not apply. Consequently, the local planning authority cannot be confident that the proposed development would comply with the requirements of Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

BH23 2EP

Application type

Full Planning Permission

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Christchurch Town Council

Date validated

2 March 2026

Consultation expiry

30 April 2026

Consultation start

2 April 2026

Consultation end

30 April 2026

Agent address

54 The Grove Christchurch BH23 2HB

Documents

21