Forum Chair: Mr L Deller   
Tel: 01202 241307

Secretary: Mrs W Sharp
Tel: 01202 301622

Draft SWR Regional Spatial Strategy

Section 3 The Spatial Strategy and Policies for the Scale and Location of Development
Policy: Development Policy A

South East Dorset SSCT.

In the interests of ‘plain English’ we object to this blurring of our identities, making it more difficult for Forum Members to understand the precise area of search. We object to this pointless stripping of our identities and wish to protect our individuality.

Policy/paragraph reference: HMA7: Bournemouth and Poole HMA

We very strongly oppose the changes increasing housing numbers. We particularly oppose the proposed urban extensions into any of the Green Belts in HMA7 and the lack of infrastructure in the changes.

Forum Members object to the imposition of additional housing numbers in Bournemouth, above those acceptable to our local council and locally elected representatives. The proposed numbers do not accurately reflect the economic forecasts prior to the recession and are now completely irrelevant. We are advised by our council that sufficient provision for sustainable housing will be covered by the numbers required within the existing urban area, including affordable housing.

Forum Members, who make up 10% of Bournemouth’s residents, object to having a double requirement to those in the rest of Bournemouth, with our infrastructure already overburdened and no funding in the draft RSS. Transport consultants Mouchel, who carried out a recent assessment of the B3060 Castle Lane West corridor, confirm it is already at or over capacity. Without major Government investment for the relief road which would be necessary before any development could be carried out, including a 1 ¼ mile bridge over floodplain at one end, the housing would be undeliverable. Forum members also object to the unsustainable strain this would place on all other infrastructure, schools, healthcare, social services, sewage, etc.

The lack of money for infrastructure will be particularly of consequence with regard to the effects of climate change and flooding. Our North Bournemouth Green Belt is situated immediately adjacent to the flood plain and this Eastern end of the River Stour is tidal. Severe flood is exacerbated when water from East Dorset meets a high tide from Christchurch. We therefore oppose any development in the green belt areas 7A/B/D/E/F and HMA7C as run-off from these areas will greatly increase the risk to us. Effective management of run-off from our green belt area, being situated so close to the Stour, is extremely doubtful and Mr Howard Davidson, Regional Director, Environment Agency has stated that SUDS are of limited value, depending on geology and topography as room is needed to store and gradually release ground water to mimic the more natural soil horizons. The run-off outlet from the southerly Castlepoint shopping centre alone has required constant re-engineering over the last 6 years. If developers have to fund this entire infrastructure, as well as 35% affordable housing, heathland mitigation charges, SANGS, hard and social infrastructure, including the entire relief road, etc., development of the North Bournemouth Green Belt and therefore, the RSS will be undeliverable. If measures to prevent additional pressures on the area of flood are not taken or are inadequate, the historic Village of Holdenhurst, which is listed in the Doomsday Book and contains an ancient Leper Hospital and cottages over 400 years old and listed buildings, a working farm, a Church, etc. and is a Conservation Area, will be severely threatened. The Environment Agency and a recent survey confirm the 20 year old, partial flood barrier could be overtopped by severe flood.
Of extreme significance, is that the main Sewage Treatment Plant for the whole of Bournemouth is situated adjacent to Holdenhurst Village, beside the A338, entirely in the flood plain and only afforded partial protection by the flood barrier. All above is in direct contravention of the principles of PPS25 Development and Flooding.

• The Green Belt contains all of the winter pastures for Wood Farm, Holdenhurst, the remainder of the farm land being water meadows. If any of this high quality farm land is removed (contrary to PPS7) the farm will not be viable, which in turn would leave management of the water meadows unanswered.
• Evidence does not support the Government’s economic forecast on which the employment and housing numbers are based. A review of the Green belt is therefore unnecessary.
• Forum members oppose the imposition of inflated housing figures to accommodate in-migration to the area, when excessive development would change the character of Bournemouth forever and have an adverse affect on quality of life. Rising unemployment and the downturn in economic growth lowers the number of available jobs and therefore the number of houses required.
• Destruction of the Green Belt would have a severe adverse effect on the Conservation Areas of Holdenhurst and Throop.
• Forum Members oppose loss of green space for leisure, loss of open green space and farm land and destruction of the character of this area and the historic sites.
• Forum Members object to the loss of Bournemouth’s last piece of Green Belt, which is an important wildlife corridor and essential ecological resource, including significant hedgerows – some ancient.
• Forum Members object to the destruction of the Green Belt which will allow urban sprawl and devalue our surroundings and our homes.
• Forum Members object to the destruction of Bournemouth’s last area of Green Belt when parts of urban Bournemouth are in need of regeneration and should be developed first.
• Forum Members object to being deprived of our own green space and forced to travel to other areas, to the detriment of the environment, air quality and ecologically fragile areas such as Hengistbury Head or the heath lands of South East Dorset.