Long Close Retirement Rest Home, 23 Forest Road, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole , BH13 6DQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including the effect on the significance of the designated heritage asset of Chester Road Conservation Area, by virtue of development within its setting
• the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the existing occupants of 1 and 2 The Rydal, and 1 The Grove, with regard to outlook and privacy
• whether the proposal provides satisfactory living conditions for future occupants of the care home, in regard to external amenity space and outlook
• the effect of the proposed development on protected species, most notably bats
• the effect of the proposal on highway safety, with specific regard to parking provision

What decided it

The less than substantial harm to the significance of the Chester Road Conservation Area through development within its setting was not outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal, and paragraph 215 of the Framework balance was not satisfactorily achieved.

The less than substantial harm to the heritage asset was weighed against public benefits including 15 additional care home bed spaces (contributing 8 housing units), meeting identified care home need, economic benefits from construction and job creation, and environmental benefits from sustainable location; however, the public benefits did not outweigh the heritage harm, and paragraph 215 balance was not achieved.