Replacement dwelling at 54 Elms Avenue, Poole

The site and surroundings

The site contains a detached house and garage near the junction of Elms Avenue and Pearce Avenue, backing onto Poole Harbour SSSI.

“Description of Site and Surroundings 4. The application site is on the south-west side of Elms Avenue, close to the junction with Pearce Avenue. It backs onto Poole Harbour SSSI. The site is occupied by a detached house with a detached garage in the front garden. The site is enclosed by tall, rendered walls and fences, with mature vegetation along the boundaries.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier replacement-house schemes were refused and dismissed at appeal, with concerns about height, storeys, massing, overlooking and neighbouring living conditions.

“APP/23/00900/F - Demolition of existing property and erection of replacement house. Refused and dismissed at appeal.”

“APP/24/01035/F - Demolition of existing property and erection of replacement house (revised scheme). Refused and dismissed at appeal.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the four-storey revised design, reduced balconies, screening and retained trees would respect the area and protect neighbouring amenity.

“On the second appeal, the applicant addressed the concerns raised by the Inspector in the previous appeal by submitting a revised scheme. The proposal comprises a five-storey building, reduced from the previously proposed six-storey development. In addition, the scheme incorporates 1.8 -metre-high obscure glazed wraparound screening to all proposed upper-floor balconies, ensuring appropriate mitigation of overlooking and safeguarding neighbouring amenity.”

“As such, the revised scheme would have a positive effect on the visual amenity of this part of the coastal area, making the scheme more sympathetic to the character and appearance of the street scene. 34. The development would present a contemporary design with similar architectural composition to neighbouring buildings. The proposal, in terms of its height, scale and massing would not detract from the prevailing character of this part of the residential area.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, biodiversity, trees, waste and flood-risk consultees raised no objection or supported the proposal subject to conditions and mitigation.

“For the purposes of this application, in accordance with section 2 Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015, regard has been had to the register that the Council maintains of individuals and associations of individuals who are seeking to acquire serviced plots in the Council’s area for their own self-build and custom housebuilding. 10.”

“Environment agency – Application falls outside environment Agency remit. • Waste service - The plans are suitable from a Waste Collection perspective. • Natural England - No Objection subject to securing mitigation • LLFA – No objection but recommended condition Representations 12. 22 letters of objection from the occupiers of the neighbouring dwellings were received. Concerns were raised with regards to: • The scale and mass of the proposed dwelling would be overbearing.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke on behalf of the applicant, while no objectors or ward councillors were registered to speak.

The committee vote

Members voted unanimously to grant permission in accordance with the officer recommendation and committee addendum.

“RESOLVED to GRANT permission in accordance with the recommendation set out in the officer’s report as updated by the Committee Addendum dated 4.2.26.”

Minutes

The decision and conditions

Permission was granted because the proposal was considered to accord with the development plan and avoid significant adverse effects, subject to conditions.

“Planning Balance / Conclusion 57. It is proposed to retain the existing trees on site, and an appropriate landscaping scheme could be secured. It is asserted that the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers would not be adversely impacted. The proposed accommodation, external space, parking and storage that would be provided for future occupants would be adequate.”

“The proposal would accord with the development plan as a whole and the material considerations, including the Framework, do not indicate that the proposal should be decided other than in accordance with it. Therefore, the proposal is recommended for approval. 59. Recommendation Grant, subject to the following conditions:”

Officer report

Main planning conditions

Conditions cover tree protection, construction and environmental management, biodiversity, renewable energy, drainage and obscure glazing.

“No part of the development hereby permitted shall be carried out other than in accordance with the details and timetable contained in the approved Arboricultural Method Statement and Tree Protection Plan from Treecall Consulting dated 6 November 2025. Reason: To ensure that trees and their rooting environments are afforded adequate physical protection during construction 4.”

“Reason: compliance with National Planning Policy Framework (2024) 187 “Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment: by minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity” and Poole Plan Policy PP33 “enhance biodiversity”. 61.”

Officer report