Today, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council resolved to grant planning permission for Canford Park, a new sustainable community of 695 new homes, a community hub including retail, small business units, a community centre and care home and open space.
Brett Spiller, Director of Chapman Lily Planning commented ‘We successfully promoted the site through the Local Plan process and subsequently brought forward a well founded hybrid application. It was pleasing to see that the Planning Committee had an excellent grasp of the key issues and to hear praise for our thorough approach to the evolution of the scheme. The hybrid scheme will front load the opening up of the site and allow for preparation works to accelerate the delivery of new homes and wider community benefits quickly.‘
Brett emphasised that ‘… this was a real team effort and we were fortunate to be working with an enlightened, forward thinking client as well as a talented project team. Officers at BCP Council and stakeholders also deserve credit; carefully negotiated amendments resulted in improved connectivity and community benefits being optimised’. As well as essential housing growth, Canford Park will deliver essential social infrastructure, including:
- 40% affordable homes, something seldom achieved across the BCP area
- A further 15ha of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace [SANG] along the River Stour, helping to realise the ambition for a green corridor between Wimborne and Christchurch
- Financial contributions towards education provision, doctor’s services, pump-priming high frequency bus services, enhanced cycle and pedestrian connections
- Circa £5m towards local infrastructure through the Community Infrastructure Levy.
Canford Park will deliver significant economic benefits and create new jobs for local people. This was reflected in Dorset Chamber’s support for the scheme. Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership also confirmed their support for increased housing delivery which will help facilitate growth in the Dorset economy.
The benefits of the planning application are summarised in a short YouTube video:
If you would like further information about Canford Park or how we can help facilitate your own development proposals, please contact us.