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Community Matters is produced and edited by a team of local residents who try to present you with the facts that will both keep you informed and enable you to make up your own mind on local issues
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You may be aware that there is currently a consultation underway on changes to the NPPF. The consultation is open until 24th September 2024. The Government aim is to nationally build 370,000 homes per annum. A copy of the new draft NPPF for consultation can be found HERE. This is the Link:
Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Use the side index to click on specific chapters. Chapter 5 explains the proposal for “Grey Belt” and Chapter 4 explains the new proposed standard method for calculating housing figures. The new figures are set out in a spreadsheet HERE. BCP is mentioned towards the bottom of the page under “Reorganised Authority”. For ease, we have set out below for you the implications of housing figures - current 2014 methodology - local need - new proposed methodology.
HOUSING FIGURES
2014 Standard Method (the current starting point for a Local Plan which can be amended according to constraints, e.g. SSSI designations/flood zones etc)
2,667 homes pa – TOTAL 40,005 to 2038 (15 years)
BCP Draft Local Plan as submitted for Examination in June 2024
with evidenced Local Need Assessment
2024/25 to 28/29 – 5 years at 1,200 homes pa (6,000)
2029/30 to 38/39 – 10 years at 1,800 homes pa (18,000) TOTAL 24,000 (15 years)
New Government Proposed Method (as spreadsheet)
2,962 pa over 15 years – TOTAL 44,430
- The new proposed method is 20,430 more homes than our current BCP draft Local Plan over 15 years – an extra 1,362 homes pa
BCP has previously been building:
An average of 1,230 homes were built per year since 2006, with difficulties in the market highlighted by an average of only 1,055 over the past five years.
Therefore, we wonder if it will be realistically possible to build the amount of homes the new Government want to build, even if green belt is released.
The current situation with the BCP draft Local Plan is that it was submitted for examination on 27th June 2024.
With regards to the impact of the Planning Reform proposals and draft NPPF on the submitted BCP draft Local Plan - the consultation draft of the NPPF says in para 226 that where a local planning authority has submitted a plan for examination that it will be examined under the relevant previous version of the Framework.
Para 227 of the draft NPPF states that “…local plans that reach adoption with an annual housing requirement that is more than 200 dwellings lower than the relevant published Local Housing Need figure will be expected to commence plan-making in the new plan-making system at the earliest opportunity to address the shortfall in housing need.”
Therefore, as we see it, based on the current situation, the BCP draft Local Plan will continue through the examination process in its current form and be tested against the provisions of the 2023 version of the NPPF, but if agreed and adopted, it would then immediately have to come under review using the new methodology and higher housing figures.
BCP has allocated funding to support residents and the local voluntary and community sector. To support this, each Ward Councillor has been allocated £4,000 per year to distribute to voluntary groups in their Ward. Councillors within the same Ward can pool their allocation to form a larger pot if they think it is the best use of the fund and to the benefit of the community. You must speak to your local Cllr. before applying for any funding.
The poster advertising the fund is HERE
BCP has arranged the following community information sessions for the new Ward Improvement Fund.
- 20th August 14:00 Bourne Community Hub
- 21st August 11:00 Hamworthy Library
- 27th August 18:00 Kinson Community Centre
- 3rd September 10:00 Mudeford Wood Community Centre
- 6th September 10:00 Christchurch Library
- 6th September 14:30 Boscombe Engagement Hub
These sessions are for small community groups operating in Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole and each session should last around 1 hour. This is the link to the BCP Website:
Ward improvement fund | BCP (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)
Who Can Apply?
BCP will consider applications from:
- small constituted voluntary and community groups/organisations with incomes under £20,000 per year
- groups based and operating for the benefit of residents in their relevant Ward
- Applications for this fund will be open from 9 September to 14 October 2024.
As always, feel free to contact us on any issue
Cllr. Margaret Phipps – margaret.phipps@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
- Tel: 01202 478266
Cllr. Vanessa Ricketts – vanessa.ricketts@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
– Tel: 07760 391467
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Planning Issues
Christchurch Police Station Barrack Road
Planning applications: 8/18/3263/FUL and 8/18/3264/DCONS
The Police Station Site | Aster Christchurch
The project includes 130 new homes for Christchurch in a range of different home types and tenures, including affordable homes, such as discount/starter homes, and homes for affordable rent and shared ownership. This will allow more local families to secure affordable homes in the area they love. We will also provide 39 units of sheltered accommodation, and 612 m2 of flexible commercial/community space, a new road connecting Bargates and Barrack Road – initially for pedestrians and cyclists only -, new vehicular access from Barrack Road (to serve the sheltered accommodation only), new private and semi-private gardens, public open space, hard and soft landscaping, surface vehicular parking and residential garages.
The work has been halted due to legal reasons -
"The issue here is that the scheme is caught by the Phosphates issue that exists in Christchurch and the Applicant is unable to progress the development currently until such time that they secure an appropriate assessment to show Phosphates has been mitigated. This also includes them being able to discharge various planning conditions linked to the scheme." - BCP response
AN ANCIENT burial ground has not been found on a worksite, developers have said, despite speculation to the contrary.
Some residents in Christchurch have suggested that an Anglo Saxon burial ground has been found at the former police station site off Fountain Roundabout and Barrack Road.
Housing company Aster Group has started work in November on the site to build 169 new with demolition now complete.
Work seems to have come to a halt – starting the rumour among some residents that the burial ground was discovered.
This has been denied by Aster Group, who said work has stopped as the land must be tested and cleared up before house building can begin.
The scheme is expected to see the first homes delivered by winter 2025.
Echo
Prior approval granted for Christchurch high street flats
An application for six new flats in Christchurch high street has been determined by the council.
Prior approval has been granted for a change of use from retail to residential at 38 High Street.
Oraco Properties Limited has plans to introduce flats above and to the rear of the unit, which was formerly home to M&Co.
The developer said the proposal would only involve the change of use of a ‘small proportion’ of the ground floor, at the rear of number 38, which was ‘not formally used as shop floor’, and instead was used for staff areas, changing rooms and storage.
Christchurch Town Council showed support for the scheme, but with conditions, which included the completion of a conservation study ‘to identify the unique architectural characteristics of the building, ensuring they are retained during the works’.
A BCP planning officer recommending the scheme for approval said: “There would not appear to be any conditions, limitations or restrictions to prevent the submitted prior notification application being approved.
Echo
St Catherine's Hill land for sale - WITHDRAWN ON THE DAY OF AUCTION
This had been listed for sale By Public Auction on 1st August 2024
This is the same plot that had been refused permission for a digital advertisement in Jul 2023. 8/23/0286/ADV
These plots cannot be built on but we need to be vigilant. The plot opposite has recently had some clearance activity behind the bungalows. The trees have TPO orders on them and the plot is unsuitable for development. Our councillors are aware of the situation.
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Become a Town Councillor!
We are searching for a Town Councillor for Christchurch.
A vacancy has arisen for a Councillor to serve the Jumpers & St. Catherine’s Ward of Christchurch Town Council. Candidates must be 18 or over and live or work within three miles of Christchurch.
The successful candidate shall be appointed to the Council by co-option and applicants will be invited to attend a meeting of the Council on September 16, 2024 at 6pm.
To apply please send your CV alongside application form part one and application form part two to the Town Clerk: townclerk@christchurch-tc.gov.uk by midnight September 4, 2024.
Use the links below to see the person specification and to download the co-option application forms:
Person Specification
Mayor of Christchurch defends town council’s 53% increase in band D precept
Have more say on these matters and join the council !
Subscribe to the CTC newsletter
Upcoming council meetings
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Christchurch recycling centre is currently managed by Poole-based W&S Waste Management but that will change to BCP Council in August.
To facilitate the change of management, the tip will be closed from Tuesday, August 27 when the contract changes and will reopen a week later on Tuesday, September 3.
During the seven-day closure, the outgoing contractor will be removing its equipment and waste and BCP Council will install new skips, gantries and storage containers.
Kate Langdown, director of environment at BCP Council, said: “When the recycling centre reopens, residents will notice an improved site, and a few small changes, such as staff in BCP Council uniform and some reorganisation of the site.
“The main layout will be similar, and visitors will still be able to dispose of waste as they do currently.
“Residents who wish to leave items for reuse will still be able to do so. Items brought to the site that are suitable for re-use will be taken to BCP Council’s re-use shop New to You in Poole.
“The only significant change to the service offered will be that purchasing will no longer be permitted from the site, with the re-sell area permanently closed. This is to improve site safety and reduce misuse by traders.”
Echo
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Plans approved for Mudeford All Saints church rebuild
A PROJECT to rebuild a fire-destroyed church has been given the green light.
 The formal plans for the rebuild of Mudeford All Saints have been approved by BCP Council.
As reported, the historic church became engulfed in flames on the evening of July 14, 2022, following an electrical issue in the building.
The blaze caused huge damage to the roof and interior, and has put the church out of use ever since.
A rebuild project, tabled by The PCC of All Saints Church, consists of a major program of restoration to the church remains and extensions.
Full article here
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Events are subject to change and weather conditions on the day, please e-mail Robin Harley: countryside@bcpcouncil.gov.uk for further information. Most guided walks and talks are charged at £2 per member and £4 per non-member (accompanied children free). All proceeds will go towards the running of the group and funding items on site. Most events open to non-members.
Programme for 2024
 St Catherine's Hill
Community Hall
17 Marlow Drive
Christchurch
General Knowledge Fun Quiz night with Rob Kimber - Saturday 21st September
Doors open 7 fo 7.30pm
Entry with pre-paid ticket only
Maximum 6 per team please -
If you haven't a team, come along and make up a team with others
Price £3.00 per person - Bring your own drinks and snacks
Any queries contact John Spittle Tel 07713 740628, or email j.spittle@ntlworld.com
Tickets available from Phil the Print in the Grove and the Launderette adjacent to the Hall
and online via the Website
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CHRISTCHURCH u3a
It’s Summer but Christchurch u3a is still happening. Book clubs, Cycling, Gardening, Tennis, Motorbiking, are some of the groups which keep on going all year, so although the new programme came out in June and we were able to join groups from 1st July, Christchurch u3a didn’t close down for the summer. Our official start of year for Autumn Term is Monday 16th September. There are several new groups starting .
‘Out of Hours’ Group continues to provide a variety of activities which should appeal to all from quizzes to lunches, garden visits to performances and many more things. The unique thing about this group is that it doesn’t happen during the week in working hours as the other groups do. The clue is in the name and I don’t know why we didn’t realise this before , but the times apart from that, are, or could be the loneliest. NOT ANY MORE. There’s no upper limit on the numbers in this group and you don’t have to join in with everything.
As far as I know, Christchurch u3a is unique with this approach.
OUT OF HOURS
29th August - 19:00 PLAY - As you like it. Highcliffe Castle
3rd September - Oliver - Musical at Chichester Festival theatre– Waiting list
7th September – 11:00-19:00 – Clifftop Musical Festival, Highcliffe
11th September – Croquet at Bransgore
15th September – 13:00 – Sunday Lunch at East Dorset Tennis and Croquet Club, Salterns Rd, Poole
20th September - 19:30 - Otis Jay Blues band Meeting House, Ringwood Evening Gig eight pound admission. Tickets: £8.00
22nd September 13:30 – 15:00 – Blue Tides Jazz Band, Highcliffe Castle Lawns.
Enjoy the rest of Summer and come and join us as we start our new year of exciting activities.
Thanks
Paula Watton (Publicity)
The Annual Membership fee is only £45 for the full year!
Christchurch u3a The Epicentre, 27a High Street, Christchurch (next to Druitt Hall)
- currently open on Mondays 10am - 12pm
From 16th Sept open Mondays and Fridays
Enrol online via the website - Christchurch u3a website
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If you have a local event or story you would like to be included in the Monthly Newsletter please email it to newsletter@wcresidents.co.uk
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Links and Contact Details
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