CONCERNED residents have been handed a reprieve as plans to knock down a Christchurch building believed to have been the home of a key Second World War engineer were rejected.

Developer Holten Homes appeared to be on course to secure planning permission for the scheme at 1 Twynham Avenue, which has been used as the base for Christchurch Chiropractic Centre.

The proposal aimed to deliver a three-storey block of six flats and it had been recommended for approval by a BCP Council planning officer.

However, members of planning committee unanimously dismissed the scheme due issues with the development would have on the character of the area and neighbouring property.

The property currently at 1 Twynham Avenue is believed to be the former home of inventor of the Bailey bridge, Sir Donald Bailey, who died in Bournemouth in 1985.

The engineer was the brains behind the Bailey bridge and it is recorded that Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery said without the bridge the Allies “should not have won” the Second World War.

During the war, a factory in Christchurch made components for the Bailey bridge and a section of one remains in place near the retail park off Barrack Road.

The planning application for the property had been called in for committee consideration by Christchurch Town ward councillors Peter Hall and Mike Cox.

Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Cox’s objection said: “(The scheme is) out of proportion to neighbouring properties and insufficient parking is provided on site putting pressure on already congested roads.

“Previous applications have been rejected by Christchurch Borough Council for similar reasons and are counter to local planning policies.”

An application from Holten Homes for 12 flats on the site had already been dismissed on appeal by a planning inspector before the committee’s ruling on the scaled down scheme.

Resident Susan Suliman, who spoke in opposition to the plans at the committee meeting, said: “The new development pays little regard to its relationship to adjoining properties and the impact on residents.”

Holten Homes had argued the revised plans had taken into account issues raised over their first application.

Paul Bloomfield, Holton Homes’ land manager, said the area is categorised by flats, with a block directly opposite.