Plans for 20 new homes in a rural-style development in east Dorset have been given the green light by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

Approval on the land next to Knighton House in Knighton Lane, Poole, was secured by Ken Parke Planning Consultants as part of its ongoing support for the landowner, which has include included initial feasibility and design advice, pre-application negotiations with the council and handling of the application submission through to decision.

In a rural setting close to Bearwood and Canford Magna, the development comprises 16 houses and four apartments including eight properties – 40% of the total – for affordable housing.

The development features flats, terraced, semi-detached and detached houses with one to four bedrooms to provide much needed and good quality, family homes.

Its design includes a terrace of farm worker style cottages and other properties in a courtyard setting.

Road improvements, parking, garages, cycle storage, electric vehicle charging points and a pond are also planned.

Contributions will be made towards vital local services and infrastructure, including schools, GP provision, offsite open space and sustainable transport.

Biodiversity enhancements, such as landscaping, bat and bird boxes, bee bricks and native tree planting, are due to be included in a more detailed reserved matters application as well as renewable energy features.

The rectangular shaped strip of land falls within the northern part of an area zoned for at least 800 homes in the Poole Local Plan, under allocation PP10 UE2. The land was not promoted by the landowner but was included as a logical part of the wider allocation.

With its distinct character and architectural design, it will form a buffer between the elegant and grand Knighton House and what will be a major and more suburban development to the south.

The development of 695 properties – Canford Park – already has hybrid planning permission on the land to the south, including shops, workspace, offices and a care home.

Ken Parke, managing director of KPPC, said: “We are pleased to have secured this planning permission for our client.

“Although it appeared the principle of residential development was established through the site’s inclusion in the UE2 allocation within the local plan, this was not clear with a requirement for a landscape buffer to the hamlet of Knighton, there was still much to do.

“This process included a design that related to the hamlet and with a design which was distinct from the large scale development to the south. The principles were submitted as pre-application proposal which was largely supported by the local planning authority.

“Close and timely collaboration with partners in the project also played a key role in the submission of a comprehensive, convincing and ultimately successful application which was compliant with policy and overcame a number of objections.

“The result will be an attractive and high-quality development which reflects its semi-rural setting and the heritage of nearby of Knighton House and its hamlet, while delivering a mix of much-needed affordable and open market homes.”

Partners in the project included ABR Ecology Ltd, Extreme Assets LLP, Paul Basham Associates, Richard Nicholson Arboricultural Planning Consultant, Scott Worsfold Associates Chartered Architects and Sturt & Company.

• https://kenparkeplanning.com/

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