®Planning appeal decision
35-43 Westover Road, Christchurch Poole, Bournemouth, BH1 2BZ
Planning appeal 3364854 at 35-43 Westover Road, Christchurch Poole, Bournemouth, BH1 2BZ (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) was dismissed on 19 November 2025 by Inspector Burley P, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the appeal scheme on designated and non-designated heritage assets.
‘Outline Application for partial retention of building including main facades at three levels on the Westover Road and Hinton Road frontages to allow for the construction of 936sq.m. commercial floorspace at lower ground and upper ground levels, comprising three units for use within either E (a) (retail), E(b) (restaurant), F1 (learning and non- residential institution) or F2 (b, c & d) (local community); 86 apartments, 26 car parking spaces, associated servicing facilities, refuse and cycle storage’
- Authority
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Other Major Developments
- Inspector
- Burley P
- Postcode
- BH1 2BZ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the appeal scheme on designated and non-designated heritage assets
- whether there would be satisfactory living conditions for the future occupiers of the appeal scheme
- whether any effects on designated habitats sites would be appropriately mitigated
- whether affordable housing and transport-related contributions are necessary and have been secured
What decided it
The unmitigated impact on designated habitats sites (Dorset Heathlands and New Forest) due to the absence of executed planning obligations, combined with unacceptable living conditions for future occupiers and the moderate harm to the non-designated heritage asset, meant the adverse impacts clearly outweighed the benefits.
The significant positive weight given to housing delivery and moderate positive weight to employment and regeneration benefits were outweighed by the moderate harm to the non-designated host building, less than substantial harm to designated heritage assets (which was itself outweighed by public benefits), unacceptable living conditions for future occupiers, unmitigated habitats impacts, and absent planning obligations for affordable housing and transport contributions.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- CS40CS41D4CS21CS32CS33CS34CS39CS14CS15AH16.10
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 12Paragraph 16Paragraph 193Paragraph 212Paragraph 215Paragraph 216
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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What an account adds to this decision
More decisions in Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
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- Allowed24 September 202660071875 Higher Blandford Road, Poole, BH18 9AB
- Allowed4 September 2026601111118 Sandbourne Road, Bournemouth, BH4 8JH
- Allowed4 September 20266003539Marina Court, 34 Banks Road, Poole, BH13 7QE
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.