PLANS to build up to 26 new homes on the former coastguard training centre in Christchurch have been approved on appeal.

Christchurch Borough Council have twice refused to grant permission for two outline housing development plans at the Steamer Point site, following concerns from residents.

But their refusal for the smaller revised scheme for 26 homes was overturned by an inspector.

David Wildsmith, from the Planning Inspectorate, did however uphold the council's decision not to grant permission for an earlier application for up to 35 houses.

The council's refusal was based on concerns about overcrowding and the proximity to a SSSI (Site of special scientific interest).

The inspector said the proposal for up to 26 homes was in keeping with the character of the surrounding area.

Responding to concerns about daily traffic, the inspector said the current use of the site has "the clear potential to generate more daily traffic than that predicted to be generated by either the appeal proposals.

"As a result there would be no additional transport impacts arising from the appeal proposal."

More than 50 letters of objection were submitted to Christchurch council over the revised plans.

Officers had recommended the scheme for approval, but this was overturned by members of the committee when they discussed the application last December.

Residents concerns centred on overdevelopment, loss of character, loss of protected trees and inadequacy of parking.

Issues focusing on the impact of cliff stability and impact on highway safety were also raised.

The inspector, while noting the issues of highway safety in Penny Way, said there was no in principle objection from the highways authority, and he saw "no reason why details relating to the access to the site could not be satisfactorily addressed at any future reserved matters stage.

"I have also noted the concerns raised about cliff stability, but no detailed evidence has been submitted to support these objections which, in any case, run counter to the findings of the appellant’s Coastal Stability

report."

Ward councillor Claire Bath, said: "Our concerns were to do with the density of the housing reflecting what the local area housing looks like now.

"What I wanted was something that was very similar to the lower density and quality of the housing which already exists there.

"That's what the residents wanted as well.

"I hope a developer will work closely with local residents to make sure their application works with what is already there."