PROPOSALS earmarking sites across Christchurch for the development of more than 1,000 homes over the next 15 years have been revealed.

The majority of these potential properties are located in rural areas of the borough and will require the release of Green Belt land.

Areas in and around Burton could deliver 568 new dwellings based on the plan, while the former gasholders site on Bridge Street is also a targeted location.

However, there remains a housing shortfall of 1,769 homes against the identified housing need for Christchurch up until 2033.

The expansive proposals are part of the Christchurch Local Plan, which is set to go out for public consultation after discussions at a Christchurch Borough Council community committee meeting on Wednesday (21.4).

A Local Plan is a key policy setting document, which sets out the planning strategy for a specified area – how much, what type, where and how development should take place and how it is catered for are all covered by the plan.

In attempts to meet Christchurch’s housing need, the 219-page options document proposes a number of additional housing locations. The proposed sites would address some of the 2,795 housing shortfall, with the potential to deliver 1,026 dwellings.

This still leaves a shortfall 1,769 homes, meaning the council will have to consult with adjoining authorities to investigate whether potential exists in other areas to meet Christchurch’s housing needs.

The proposed new sites are made available through further urban options (228 dwellings), de-designated open space (90 dwellings) and Green Belt release (708 dwellings).

Following a call for sites in 2016, with around 140 areas submitted throughout Christchurch and East Dorset, four new development areas identified in the Local Plan are:

  • Bransgore and Hoburne – 190 dwellings on two sites, one on Green Belt land adjoining Bransgore (100) and one on a former formal open space allocation at Hoburne within the urban area (90).

  • Town Centre, Stony Lane and Bridge Street – 213 dwellings across various possible sites subject to an adequate flood mitigation strategy being developed.

  • Land south and east of Burton – 568 dwellings on various sites currently designated as Green Belt.

  • Former West Hampshire Water, Knapp Mill and Avon Trading Park – 55 dwellings on Green Belt land at Knapp Mill (40)

  • A vacant former employment allocation at Avon Trading Park (15).

Initially the Christchurch Local Plan was coupled with partner local authority East Dorset District Council, however following the progression of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Dorset the decision has been made to proceed with two separate documents.

The report to Wednesday's committee says the councils merger creates "some uncertainty" beyond April 2018.

It says: "This Local Plan options consultation represents an important stage in the development of the Christchurch Local Plan Review.

"Despite the uncertainties created by LGR, it remains important to progress an up-to-date planning policy framework for Christchurch in order to meet development and growth needs, comply with Government policy, protect and enhance the environment of the Borough, and avoid the risks of “planning by appeal”."

The options consultation will take place for six weeks. Residents will be able to have their say online or by completing physical responses.

Christchurch Borough Council is also planning a small series of “roadshow” events in selected locations to inform the public of the consultation and how to comment.

A specific briefing session is to be held for parish councils.

Following the consultation, the responses will be analyses before a pre-submission version of the Local Plan is compiled.

This will then in turn go out for the public to comment, before the final version of the document is submitted to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The submission is scheduled to take place in March/April 2019.

Other policies included in the Local Plan focus on allowing more flexibility for Portfield School to meet its educational needs within the Gren Belt, changes to retail frontages in Christchurch and Highcliffe, and retail allocations at the Magistrates Court site, the Lanes, Saxon Square and Stony Lane/Bridge Street.