Parish urges council to reject 'out of character' plan for flats

A PLAN TO demolish a bungalow and erect 14 flats in its place in Highcliffe has been attacked as “totally out of character”.

Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council is objecting to the application by local developer Richard Carr, who runs Fortitudo Ltd.

He wants to build the flats on a plot of land at Chewton Farm Road which he says will be for “downsizing” retirees.

But the parish council is urging BCP Council to block the proposal in a residential road which comprises single-storey buildings. It says the “overdevelopment” will harm the privacy of adjoining properties and that the front of the building will be “dominated” by car parking bays.

Parish council chair Cllr Bob Hutchings said: “This road is in a unique part of Highcliffe and the wider borough of Christchurch. It is a semi-rural location, near the greenbelt and Chewton Common.

“The council agreed that this development would be hugely detrimental and undoubtedly harmful to the character of the Chewton Farm. Members had no hesitation whatever in registering their objection.”