DEVELOPERS have hit back at BCP Council after planning permission was refused for electric vehicle (EV) charging points near Bournemouth Airport.
InstaVolt, an EV charging network, submitted plans in November to install eight charging points on a green belt site next to Bournemouth Airport.
Earlier last month, BCP Council rejected the proposals and InstaVolt has hit out at “red tape” making it “impossible” to expand charging infrastructure.
Adrian Keen, chief executive of InstaVolt, said: “We’re disappointed that our application has been rejected. However we will continue to work with BCP Council, endeavouring to overcome these issues to provide EV owners and the local area with a charging hub.
“Our application being rejected is indicative of a wider issue that charging network providers are facing: we are being held to account by consumers and government targets, but are being blocked by council policy and regulation.
“With so much red tape, it is impossible for us to expand the charging infrastructure at the rate required to meet government targets. Nevertheless, we remain focused on finding a solution and bringing a rapid charging hub to the area.”
Hurn Parish Council had submitted an objection to the plans, which InstVColt said would “offset the carbon emissions created by the airport, while also serving the local population and EV owners traveling to and from the airport and the Bournemouth area.”
Read more: Passenger removed as Ryanair flight from Lanzarote lands in Portugal
The parish council said: “There is no need to open up a new area of car parking particularly in a green belt open field.
“If these charging stations are required for their current operations, they should be sited on their existing car parking site in Chapel Lane.”
BCP Council’s refusal notice said the proposed development was within the South East Dorset Green Belt.
It added: “The proposal is therefore considered to constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt that would be harmful, by definition, and contrary to the purposes of including land within the Green Belt.
“The proposed development, by reason of the structures proposed would also be harmful to the openness of the Green Belt in this location.
“No other considerations have been put forward that amount to the very special circumstances that would outweigh the harm to the Green Belt.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel