RESIDENTS are relieved after plans to build three further homes in their neighbourhood were rejected – despite council officers recommending the development for approval.

Councillors voted unanimously against the proposal for three dwellings and a detached garage in Amberwood Drive in Walkford.

The application, which followed the permission to build two bungalows on the same site last year, received twenty-four letters of objection from concerned residents.

Cllr David Jones, who proposed the rejection of the application, said: “This has the potential for affecting an awful lot of residents in their amenities.”

Christchurch council’s planning committee specified issues regarding overdevelopment of the site mass and bulk of built form, and an increase in noise and disturbance to neighbouring properties for their reasons of refusal.

Speaking in front of the committee before they made their decision, Richard Papworth of Amberwood Drive voiced his reasons for objecting to the development.

He said: “In the future we would be exposed to the increase in traffic, the fumes, the noisy and maybe dust which will certainly materially affect our amenity value and the use of our garden.”

In addition, fellow Amberwood Drive resident Steve Doyle gave further objections to the proposal.

“The entire community of Amberwood is unanimous in the fact that further development on this site will not enhance the general visual impact,” he said.

“There has been profound effect on the wildlife and there has been profound effect on resident lives.”

Applicant Robert Govier may now appeal the development to the Planning Inspectorate.

Chris Williams, speaking on behalf of Mr Govier before the committee, said: “The site has many neighbours and it has been very important to the applicant not only to provide quality amenity for the new homes, but also minimize any impact on the existing amenity of its neighbours.”