More than 10 affordable homes will be built at this former youth centre site

Borough of Poole's planning committee approved Sovereign Housing’s application to build 15 new affordable homes on council-owned land at Chichester Walk in Merley earlier this month.

The development includes a mix of 14 two and three-bed houses built in three terraces, alongside a single flat above a block of garages.

They will be filled with people currently on the housing register.

A proportion of the properties will be offered for shared ownership, giving residents the chance to buy a share of their home and pay rent on the remaining share, with the other properties being affordable rented homes.

It was approved by planners despite dozens of objections from local residents concerned about overdevelopment of the site, increased traffic around the area and loss of parking for the nursery which shares the site.

But the developers have promised to provide four parking spaces for the nursery staff.

There were also concerns about the loss of green, open space which residents claim are used by dog walkers and children.

The plans also include a new improved access from Chichester Walk as well as storage areas for bikes and rubbish bins.

Kerry Ruff, strategic housing and private sector manager at Borough of Poole, said: “Enabling the development of affordable housing in Poole is a top priority for the Council.

"With almost 1,000 households on the housing register it is important we investigate using council owned land and assets to meet this commitment.

"I am pleased that planning permission has been granted for this site, and we can now move forward with providing more homes for local families.”

Work carried out last year identified the site, previously the home to Merley Youth Club, as one of five areas of council-owned land that could be considered for the provision of affordable housing.

With planning permission now granted, it is hoped that work on the site will begin later this year.