Bournemouth is full of cars and the parking policy “stinks” declare councillors

An application to knock down a detached period villa and replace it with a block of seven two-bedroom flats on Lowther Road was granted by a majority on the planning board in spite of fierce criticism.

Cllr Sue Anderson, who voted against the application, said she was ‘appalled’ by the proposal.

“That whole area was really nice but is gradually being eroded, eroded and eroded,” she added.

“There is no parking anywhere – everywhere is absolutely full. I am concerned as well because as far as I am aware there has been no new sewage or other infrastructure as long as I have been involved with the planning.

“I think it is disgraceful that you are even considering this.

“I can only support what the residents have said – that it is one villa too far.”

Vice chair of the board Cllr Ron Whittaker replied: “I know where you are coming from but we are being forced into this situation.

“It is an application that has come before us for consideration and if you refuse it you must do that on sound planning grounds – you know that.

“I regret it. I have lived here for all my 71 years and I don’t like the way Bournemouth is changing.”

Chairman Cllr David Kelsey said his biggest concern was on parking and that it could mean at least 14 more cars on the road. “Bournemouth was not built for the amount of cars that we all have,” he added.

“The policy stinks. It is outdated. Just because you have a bus route 10 minutes away doesn’t mean to say you will catch a bus to work. That said we have what we have in front of us.

“We have policies we have to adhere to and on this occasion the officers have pretty much got it right – they have negotiated down to seven from nine [flats] and we can’t knock them for that, so unfortunately I will be supporting the move.”

Cllr Linda Bailey spoke enthusiastically for the development, claiming more family-friendly accommodation such as this is ‘what Bournemouth needs’.