Plans approved for 14-flats at Lagland Street in Poole

DWP Housing has gained permission to build a three-storey block of 14 flats on the private car park site between Lagland Street and the High Street which they say, “works in harmony with the site’s opportunities and constraints, the character of the locality and the need… to make the optimal use of land”.

Comprising eight one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments with provision for eight parking spaces, the development would replace the car park and disused building at 76 Lagland Street – which is situated next to Poole’s Co-op Funeralcare and opposite The Lord Wimborne pub.

Three objections were filed in relation to the plans, one of which came from a resident at the nearby Globe Court who expressed concern over the building’s height.

3D image of approved apartment block for Lagland Street in Poole. Picture: DWP Housing/Shore Architecture

He said: “It would seem to me that the site is over developed [and] intrusive in its present form scale and height, not in keeping with its surroundings and more recent housing developments of this nature.”

However, in its application developers said: “It is important to bear in mind that this is a town centre location, where close relationships between buildings are commonplace.

“Indeed, it is a defining characteristic of this part of the conservation area, with properties (including windows) facing one another across Lagland Street. Repeating this relationship by redeveloping the site is unavoidable.”

The parking provision of just eight spaces proved a stumbling block for planners, when the BCP Highway Authority noted this failed to meet the required minimum of ten spaces and could cause “site cramming” and access difficulties.

76 Lagland Street in Poole. Picture: Google

Planners then revised plans to introduce a new vehicle access point to ease the issue of cramming, ultimately winning over the highway authority.

In her report recommending the apartment block for approval, council case officer Natasha McCann said: “The amended plans are considered to create a building which would be a positive contribution to the area and would not detract from the visual appearance of the junction or longer views of Lagland Street.

“The fragmented nature of Lagland Street is considered to contribute to the lack of street scape and the introduction of this well-designed building would help revitalise the street scene in a manner which would create a welcoming flow from the highway to surrounding streets.”