Two-storey dwelling at 3 Nursery Road, Bournemouth

What was proposed

The application proposed a detached two-storey, two-bedroom dwellinghouse with parking spaces.

“This application proposes the erection of a dwellinghouse and formation of parking spaces. The dwellinghouse proposed is a detached two-storey, 2-bedroom property.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The vacant wedge-shaped plot lies at the junction of Malvern Road and Nursery Road beside a two-storey detached house in a mainly residential area.

“The site is a vacant wedge-shaped plot located at the junction between Malvern Road and Nursery Road adjacent to 3 Nursery Road which is a two-storey detached property of red bricks and grey tiled roof with buff-coloured bands on the walls and timber detailing on the gable projection to the front.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Two earlier applications on the site were refused, including one for a dwelling that raised concerns about overlooking and neighbouring privacy.

“The proposal by reason of its design, bulk and mass constitutes overdevelopment of the site which would lead to a cramped appearance in the streetscene and which would be harmful to the character and the appearance of the area. Due to the cramped nature of the proposed development, the proposed dwellings are insufficiently sized leading to a poor standard of residential amenity for future occupiers.”

“Reason for refusal: ‘The proposal by virtue of direct overlooking at close range and close proximity of the dwelling to the neighbouring boundary, the proposed development would be harmful to neighbouring residential amenity of No. Malvern Road resulting in a loss of privacy, overbearing and oppressive feeling.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended conditional approval, subject to a legal agreement securing protected-site mitigation payments and planning conditions.

“Subject to the relevant conditions, the proposal is not considered to have a harmful impact on the character and appearance of the area, residential amenity, highways, drainage or contaminated land. Subject to the completion of the S106 agreement, the impact on protected sites is considered acceptable in accordance with policy and legislation. The proposal is accordingly considered compliant with the Local Plan and the NPPF when read as a whole.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The assessment considered the principle of development, design, neighbours, future occupants, highways, drainage, contamination, protected sites and biodiversity.

“The key issue(s) involved with this proposal are: • Presumption in favour of sustainable development • Principle of development…”

“Impact on character and appearance of the area • Impact on residential amenity (future occupants) • Impact on residential amenity (neighbouring) • Impact on highway safety • Impact on flooding • Contaminated land • Protected sites • Biodiversity & Biodiversity Net Gain…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways’ initial objection was overcome by amended plans, conditions were recommended, and the biodiversity officer considered the scheme compliant.

“NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group – no response Wessex Water – no response • SGN – no response • Waste & Recycling – no response • Highways – objection overcome with amended plans, conditions recommended • BNG Policy Officer – verbal discussion: scheme is compliant with BNG requirements…”

Officer report

Objections received

Two objections raised concerns about overbearing effects, overlooking, separation distances, policy compliance, highway safety and local parking pressure.

“Two public representations have been received in objection. Issues raised comprise: • Overbearing and oppressive • Overlooking and harmful to neighbouring privacy • Insufficient back-to-back distances to neighbouring properties • Contrary to Policy CS41 and the Residential Design Code • Highway safety • Significant increase in residential dwellings in the area has put pressure on local parking provision including conversion of the chapel • No clear parking for No.”

“Concern about neighbouring residential amenity and highway safety was also raised by Councillor Salmon who called-in the application…”

Officer report

Who spoke

No objectors or supporters registered, while Councillor Kate Salmon spoke about the call-in and said the local resident’s issues had been addressed.

The committee vote

The committee voted unanimously to grant permission in accordance with the officer recommendation as updated by the addendum.

“RESOLVED to GRANT permission in accordance with the recommendation set out in the officer’s report, as updated in the Committee Addendum dated 17.12.25”

Minutes