®Planning appeal decision
126 Purewell, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1EU
Planning appeal 3354929 at 126 Purewell, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1EU (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) was dismissed on 10 March 2025 by Inspector Evans J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the scheme upon the character and appearance of the area, having particular regard to the protected beech tree and the contribution it makes to the Purewell Conservation Area.
the conversion of existing dwelling to offices including alterations, replacement dwelling and demolition of workshop to provide car parking area
- Authority
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- mixed-use · Change of use
- Inspector
- Evans J
- Postcode
- BH23 1EU
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the scheme upon the character and appearance of the area, having particular regard to the protected beech tree and the contribution it makes to the Purewell Conservation Area
- Whether the scheme would comply with national and local policy to reduce flood risk
- Whether the proposed offices would be in an appropriate location
What decided it
The unacceptable impact on the protected beech tree's health and vitality, combined with the failure to justify locating vulnerable residential development in a flood-risk area and the unjustified location of offices outside the town and local centres, outweighed the modest housing contribution and could not be overcome by the Council's housing land supply shortfall.
The modest contribution to housing supply from a replacement dwelling was outweighed by the significant harm to the protected beech tree and conservation area, the unresolved flood risk issues, and the unjustified out-of-centre location of offices; the Framework's protective policies for heritage assets and flood risk areas provided strong reasons for refusal that were not outweighed by housing need.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy BE4 of the Christchurch Local Plan (2001)Policy HE1 of the Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy (2014)Policy HE2 of the Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy (2014)Policy HE3 of the Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy (2014)Policy ME6 of the Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy (2014)Policy KS7 of the Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy (2014)Policy KS6 of the Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy (2014)Policy CH2 of the Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy (2014)Policy CH7 of the Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy (2014)Policy KS5 of the Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy (2014)
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.