BCP Council rejects Pennyfarthing plans for new homes at Steamer Point

REVISED plans for 21 new homes at a Christchurch beach clifftop have been thrown out over their “unacceptable" impact.

Developer Pennyfarthing wanted to build eight four-bed and four three-bed houses, alongside nine three-bed flats at Steamer Point on the site of the derelict and vandalised former coastguard building.

The flats would have an underground car park, with garages and drives for the houses.

But BCP Council rejected the plans on several points including that the apartment block was "not compatible” with its surroundings, and the proposed removal of more than 50 trees protected by a tree preservation order.

It also pointed out the site is within 5km of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and covered by the Dorset Heathlands Special Protection Area.

A report by Natural England concluded the development would have an “adverse” effect on the heathlands' “special features”.

The rejected scheme was a scaled-down version of a previous one for 26 homes which was also refused by BCP Council last year.

In the latest proposal Pennyfarthing said the new development would “enhance the character and appearance” of the area as well as contribute to the council’s housing targets

It wanted to “remove low quality buildings that have become an eyesore following repeated vandalism” and replace them with “high quality housing”.

The application added: "The current state of the area has been described as in a 'rapid state of decay', with graffiti sprayed all over the outside and inside of the building and windows and doors smashed up.”

The company trees retained at the site would give it a “sylvan setting” so that the development would fit in with its surroundings.

But more than 50 local residents objected to the scheme.

One resident claimed the development would be “an ugly built-up intrusion on what is presently a beautiful natural walk”. Another said it would "completely ruin this area".

Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council also objected to the application, saying it contravened several planning policies.

The Steamer Point site was previously used by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The new application Pennyfarthing submitted had reduced the “Art Deco style” block of apartments from four-storey to three.

There were also fewer flats than in the previous application. The company had also reduced the number of “contemporary style” houses it wanted to build.

The A&T has contacted Pennyfarthing for comment.