Winter event with ice rink at Lower Gardens, Bournemouth

What was proposed

The application proposed a temporary winter event with an outdoor ice rink, two marquees, an alpine chalet and a games stall.

“Description of Proposal 1. This application proposes the temporary installation of a winter event (temporary period from 27 October 2025 to 25 January 2026 including the installation and removal of structures). The main structures proposed are as follows: • An outdoor ice rink with two associated marquees • An alpine chalet • A games stall…”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is in the Grade II Listed Pleasure Gardens, a registered historic park containing lawns, landscaping and footpaths between Bournemouth Square and Pier Approach.

“Description of Site and Surroundings 2. The application site is located within the Grade II Listed ‘Upper, Central and Lower Pleasure Gardens, and Coy Pond Gardens’ within the Bournemouth Town Centre area. Developed over several decades on both sides of River Bourne, the Pleasure and Coy Pond Gardens follow the river for more than 3 kilometres and are highly valued for amenity and recreational use.”

“The Lower Gardens are a public green space which includes small kiosks offering food and drink, a bandstand, and a minigolf course. During the winter months, the Lower Gardens have been used for the winter festival with decorative installations and a temporary ice rink. The application site comprises areas of lawn and landscaping and footpath between Bournemouth Square and Pier Approach.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Temporary ice-rink permissions have previously been granted in the Lower Gardens, including for the current site, while a 2024 roller-skating proposal was refused.

“Relevant Planning History: The provision of a winter ice rink in the Lower Gardens has been considered acceptable previously with temporary planning permissions granted for an ice rink in the Lower Gardens from 2013 onwards.”

“Prior to 2016, the ice rink was located on a parcel of land to the southwest of its currently proposed siting. From planning application 7-2017-15898-AG to the most recent application in 2024, temporary permission has been granted for the ice rink installation to be on the current application site where Bournemouth Eye balloon was previously tethered. Festive decorations and installations have historically been installed in the other sections of the Lower Gardens.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the removed cherry tree meant the biodiversity exemption did not apply and the required information for a 10% net gain was missing.

“By reason of the unauthorised removal of a cherry tree, the application does not benefit from the de minimis exemption in relation to biodiversity net gain and the statutory biodiversity gain condition applies.”

“Furthermore, as no information has been provided to demonstrate how the development will achieve the statutory 10% net gain in biodiversity required by legislation, the Local Planning Authority cannot be confident that the statutory biodiversity gain condition is capable of being discharged in accordance with the Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy.”

Officer report

The main planning issues

The assessment considered the event’s benefits, effects on the gardens and heritage assets, landscaping, biodiversity, homes, footways, flooding and drainage.

“Key Issue(s) 18. The key issue(s) involved with this proposal are: • Principle of development and benefits • Impact on character and appearance of the area • Impact on heritage assets • Impact on trees & landscaping • Biodiversity Net Gain • Impact on residential amenity • Impact on highways/footways • Flooding and drainage…”

“These issues will be considered along with other matters relevant to this proposal below.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Heritage and urban design consultees objected to harm to the gardens, while other consultees raised grass, biodiversity and landscaping issues or supported the proposal subject to conditions.

“Consultations 15. Historic England – no comment Dorset Wildlife Trust – no response Dorset Police Licensing – no response Wessex Water – no response The Gardens Trust – commented that annual events have led to almost permanent damage and loss of the area as a garden, this harm to the significance of the registered park and garden must be justified. LPA Ecologist – confirmed the modified grassland is in poor condition.”

“Local Highway Authority – no objection subject to compliance with submitted information BCP Environmental Services (Parks & Open Spaces joint response) – Comments note the value of the proposal and of the gardens but raise concerns about the impact on the gardens, deterioration of the grass and the lack of detail in the Design and Access Statement. Recommendations include that in future years a fund is secured annually for works to the gardens.”

Officer report

Objections received

One councillor objected, citing damage to the gardens, effects on views and townscape, possible anti-social behaviour, and harm to heritage assets.

“Representations 16. Site notices were erected in the vicinity of the site on 06/08/2025 with an expiry date of 28/08/2025. A press notice was also issued with an expiry date of 06/09/2025.”

“One representation was received in objection from Councillor Bartlett. Issues raised comprise the following (summary):- • Development contrary to the Town Centre Area Action Plan • Development will cause significant and lasting damage • Prevents sites intended use as a garden and does not respect the public realm • Proposal is not an appropriate, scale, height, mass or form • Impact on key views, skyline and townscape • Anti-social behaviour resulting from the bar,…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant and a business improvement district chair spoke in support, a ward councillor supported the proposal, and other councillors spoke for and against it.

The committee vote

The committee voted unanimously to grant permission subject to resolving the biodiversity net gain issues.

“RESOLVED that the Committee is minded to grant planning permission subject to the resolution of the BNG issues and therefore it delegates authority to the Head of Planning Operations to grant planning permission but that the application is referred back to the Committee if the Head of Planning Operations is not so minded. Voting: Unanimous…”

Minutes