Wessex Fields scheme rethink

Planners are due to submit a revised application for the new link road and junction following issues around their initial proposals.

A report, which was written by a senior council planning officer earlier in the year, listed a range of reasons why the first scheme could not be approved.

These details were filed under the appendices of an updated arboricultural impact assessment submitted for the scheme. The officer no longer works for the authority.

A second application has been put forward by the council for the project, which aims to improve road infrastructure.

Funding for Phase 1, which focuses on the link road from the southbound A338 to Deansleigh Road, will be provided by Dorset LEP. The group delivered the finances for the ongoing work on the Spur Road.

The second phase of the scheme would see a bridge constructed over the A338 to connect with the northbound carriageway, however funding has not yet been secured.

Once completed, both sides of the A338 would have a new slip road on and off to access the Wessex Fields site.

A decision was not formally reached on the initial planning application, however the local authority has acted after receiving feedback and comments from interested parties and statutory groups.

The original designs planned to demolish the historic Cob Barn in Holdenhurst village, but this is one of the key changes the local authority has made.

Following a response from Historic England, council planners confirmed that the barn, which is thought to be more than 500 years old, would be retained.

A letter from Historic England said: “The barn, though currently dilapidated, nevertheless still makes a positive contribution to the conservation area’s character and appearance; particularly through its illustrative historic value as a reminder of Bournemouth’s agricultural history. “

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood had also spoken out in opposition to destroying the barn.

In a letter to planning board chairman David Kelsey last October, Mr Ellwood said: “Were Phase 2 to be completed it would involve destroying the oldest dwelling in Bournemouth, the Cob Barn, thought to be over 500 years old, with huge historical significance to the area.”

The link road running from the A338 to Deansleigh Road is also realigned in the new application, in an attempt to ensure that noise mitigation is provided for properties.

Larry Austin, Bournemouth council service director for environment, said: “Since submitting the planning application, significant progress has been made to address the issues and concerns raised by statutory consultees and the local community.

“We are pleased to report that the holding objection from Wessex Water has now been removed, and there is agreement in principle from Natural England, subject to planning conditions and funding arrangements.”

He said the council had listened carefully to the concerns raised and amended plans accordingly.

Mr Austin added: “A new planning application will streamline this feedback and allow a much clearer and accurate picture of what is now being proposed to be submitted.”

If approved, the scheme will deliver a route directly connecting the A338 with the Wessex Fields business park.

It is hoped this will improve transport infrastructure, with a second access route to Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Other elements of the scheme include a nature reserve, provision for pedestrian, cycle and bus access, and street lighting on the development site only - not the link road or overbridge.

Bournemouth council submitted its initial planning application last year after a public consultation and with support from the hospital’s trust.

However, issues were raised by local authority officers, alongside Wessex Water, Natural England, Historic England and the Environment Agency.

The council submitted a series of changes to attempt to address these issues.

A statement from the local authority says this factor, combined with the “complexity” of the original application, led to putting in a new plan.

The current work on the A338 Spur Road, which has caused long delays for motorists, are in part designed to pave the way for the Wessex Fields link.

Cllr Mike Greene, portfolio holder for transport, said: “The revised scheme is fairly similar to the existing scheme, but it just makes sure that all the conservation issues, particularly around the barn, are addressed, as well as answering some of the questions from the Environment Agency and other bodies.

“I believe it is a very good plan and I believe it will ease congestion, but primarily it will bring up to 2,000 new jobs for local people.

“I very much hope the application that is just going in will go through and that it will give us the opportunity to do some of those works at the same time as the current works, so it won’t extend the work period any further.”

The new planning application is in the process of being submitted and will be subject to the 30 day statutory consultation period.

If approved, construction for Phase 1 of the project will commence in Spring 2019. Work on Phase 2 will not begin until appropriate funding has been secured.