AN APPEAL against Poole council's decision to refuse planning permission for five chalet bungalows has been thrown out.

Planning officers rejected the scheme to demolish the bungalow off Jackson Road and redevelop the site in February prompting developer Holton Homes to launch an appeal.

However, a planning inspector backed the council saying the “limited benefits” of the scheme would not outweigh the “dangerous” access to the site.

The developer had hoped to knock down the home at 14a to clear the way for five three-bedroom chalet bungalows.

A statement submitted with its outline application at the end of last year said the existing driveway, with a new passing bay,  would be suitable for the larger development.

However, concerns were raised about it with it given as one of the reasons – the others being the “cramped” design and potential environmental harm – for refusing the scheme by council planning officer Sarah Scannell earlier this year.

Her report said the driveway would “fail to promote a safe and suitable access” and that the development was “unsustainable” for the site.

Holton Homes lodged an appeal in April saying there would be “no adverse impacts that would significantly outweigh the benefits” of its proposals.

Inspector Nick Davies, in his report published earlier this month, backed the position of the council, despite disagreeing with its opposition to the design and environmental effects.

“The traffic movements generated by five dwellings would significantly increase the level of use of the narrow drive leading to the likelihood of cars meeting pedestrians or cyclists,” his report says.

“This would result in potentially dangerous situations and may discourage the use of the drive. The access to the development would not be safe and suitable for all users.”

He said the construction of new homes was a “limited benefit” and that the site was a sustainable location but said this did not outweigh the “harm” the access would have caused.