Give Jesmond wood back to the village, says Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council chair Adam Sofianos as BCP Council refuses another planning application from Chris Bulstrode’s Brentland Ltd

Residents in Highcliffe are celebrating after BCP Council turned down another application to develop what they say is ancient woodland in the town.

Chris Bulstrode’s company Brentland Ltd had applied for ‘permission in principle’ to build between one and nine homes on the land he owns at Jesmond Avenue.

But BCP Council has refused after around 200 angry villagers objected, with many claiming that the site is ancient woodland, “a rich wildlife habitat” and an “integral part of Highcliffe’s green corridor”.

The refusal is the latest blow to Mr Bulstrode, with one parish councillor now demanding that he give the land back to the public.

He maintains that the site adjacent to Jesmond Avenue was sold to him for £300,000 on the basis it would be developed. It had been a compulsory purchase from his family’s firm, then known as Boyland & Son Ltd, in 1965 by Hampshire County Council for the purpose of building a relief road.

But BCP Council have now refused five planning applications at the site. Earlier this year Mr Bulstrode threatened High Court action against the authority, saying they way it is acting is “an abuse of power”.

In its latest decision the council said Mr Bulstrode had failed to provide mitigation against the development having a “likely significant effect on the protected Dorset heathlands and the River Avon.”

It also said that the site is considered to be a “habitats development”, adding it was not possible to “attach” some of the conditions to mitigate phosphate pollution of the River Avon and certain sites to a “grant of permission in principle”.

BCP pointed out that the northern part of the site was partially within flood zones and that there were a number of trees to the south of the site that had preservation orders on them.

The council added: “These trees make an important contribution to the positive contribution to the area's verdant character, sylvan setting, and green corridor within the local landscape.

“The application fails to demonstrate how the residential use and amount of development proposed could be accommodated on this constrained site in a manner that would not give rise to unacceptable Flood Risks or harm the protected trees to the south of the site.”

Chair of Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council Adam Sofianos welcomed the refusal: “The saga of Jesmond wood has been going on for nine years. Since buying the land, the owner has launched five separate planning applications but has never come close to succeeding.

“The reason is clear: this is a fragile woodland habitat, rightly protected by numerous planning policies. What was acceptable in the 1960s when the estate was first developed is not acceptable today.

“The owner has done everything he can to develop the woodland. But now it’s time to give it back to public hands. I call on the owner to begin discussions with BCP officers for the repurchase of the land.

“Jesmond wood is a vital site for local wildlife, but it’s important to residents too. Every application attracts hundreds of objections, and it’s one of the issues I get most questions about. People in Highcliffe genuinely care, and we’re not going away.

Ward councillor Andy Martin said: “The fight to save Jesmond wood and its vital role in Highcliffe’s green, ecological, environmental and wildlife corridor has been going on for a decade.

“This will continue until we can ensure there are no more planning applications aimed at destroying the woodland and we are able to safeguard it once and for all.

“Until then there will be absolutely no let-up in this community campaign.”

Mr Bulstrode has been approached for a comment.