Councillors `go it alone' on flats veto

From the Echo, first published Thursday 2nd Oct 2003.

"YOU'RE on your own" - that was the stark warning officers gave to councillors after they sided with residents and refused an application to build flats at the entrance of Poole Park.

The decision - which went against the recommendations of both a government inspector and Poole planning officers - sparked huge controversy.

Head of planning Peter Watson took the unusual step of telling councillors they would "almost certainly" lose at appeal and that officers would not be prepared to argue their case for them.

It means Poole council will have to employ its own independent planning expert when the case goes to appeal and will be liable for tens of thousands of pounds in costs if they lose.

Developers Prime-tower Properties wanted to demolish a house in Twemlow Avenue and replace it with a block of five flats.

An identical application was refused last October but an appeal inspector found in favour of the development and it was only a minor technicality that led to the appeal being dismissed.

Mr Watson said: "If you want to go ahead and refuse the application you can do so but the reasons are simply unsustainable.

"In terms of defending this decision, I do think that for the first time and with a great deal of sadness, I would have to say that you are on your own."

But the 120 residents who had objected to the plans were absolutely thrilled with the council's decision.

Moira Muir, who spoke on behalf of the Orchard Area and Parkstone Bay Residents' Associations and the Friends of Poole Park, had argued that Poole Park was the "people's park" and needed to be protected from inappropriate development.

She said residents feared the decision would set a dangerous precedent and soon there could be more than 500 flats surrounding adjacent to the conservation area.

After the meeting, she said: "It felt like a rollercoaster with all the ups and downs but we're absolutely delighted with the outcome.

"We understand how difficult it was for our councillors but we know that they have made the right decision. And we want to reassure them that they will not be on their own."

John Montgomery, of Primetower Properties, said: "We're very disappointed that the committee didn't follow the advice of the independent inspector and the professional advice of their officers. He added: "Obviously we will be aggressively pursuing another appeal."

Archive Home