THE MAYOR of Christchurch has called for a “total overhaul” of traffic management before any more buildings are “shoehorned” into the town.

This comes after a planning application to demolish the existing buildings at 215-225 Barrack Road, including the Dragon Palace restaurant, to make way for three blocks of 38 flats was submitted to Christchurch Town Council.

Calendula Assets Limited – Bournemouth’s biggest property landlord and which trades under the name of DWP Housing Partnership – has proposed a trio of three-storey blocks comprising 38 flats at 215-225 Barrack Road, as well as 21 parking spaces.

However, Christchurch Mayor Cllr Lesley Dedman has said that a particular focus needs to be put on the road infrastructure in the rea before any more large developments can take place.

She said: “Without prejudicing my membership of the Christchurch Town Council Planning Committee, I could only give a generalisation that before any more dwellings are shoehorned into our town, there needs to be a total overhaul of the traffic situation, as we are even now at gridlock in normal times.

“Since we were combined into one ‘city’ as BCP we have taken on the government housing requirement for the whole area, thus Bournemouth and Poole as well, and Christchurch will be forced to have more dwellings.

“Christchurch councillors have challenged the government figures, and this is ongoing, as otherwise we will be in a parlous state, either cramming housing into brownfield or losing our precious green spaces.”

Calendula Assets Limited already have planning permission to develop the majority of the land with 34 flats – a bid it first submitted more than 10 years ago and can enact even if this one fails.

But the plans have already attracted five objections from local residents.

One expressed fears about the “insufficient parking” it provided, noting residents and businesses already “fought” over a lack of available space.

In planning documents, the developer said it has chosen to submit plans for a bigger development following the recent purchase of the Dragon Palace takeaway at 215 Barrack Road.

Steve Wells from DWP Housing Partnership said: “Our plans for the site are at an early stage and planning processes can take a long time.

“The Dragon Palace is an excellent tenant and like all restaurants has had an incredibly difficult year.

“It will continue to trade when permitted after lockdown and we’d encourage everyone to eat there.”

Discussions about the incorporation on the restaurant into the plans are still ongoing, with BCP Council having the final say over the proposal.

Mr Wells added: “I will be discussing the future of the site with the restaurant’s owners and will ensure that a mutually agreeable solution is found. Nothing will happen imminently.

“The proposal we have put forward is for one- and two-bedroom flats, which will help address the needs of the less well off in the area.

“Christchurch requires more affordable housing and we have recently completed another scheme nearby in Stour Road.”