PHASE one of a major 550 home development on former green belt land has been submitted – despite swathes of public opposition.
Having been granted outlining planning permission in April last year, Cala Homes has submitted detailed plans for its first phase of development on land north of Oakley Lane in Merley.
The developer is seeking reserved matters permission from BCP Council to deliver 285 new homes and suitable alternative natural greenspace (SANG).
This would be the first part of the phased development which will eventually welcome up to 550 homes – 40 per cent of which are described as “affordable” – as well as a 62-bedroom care home, allotments, play areas and public open space.
Detailed proposals for the first phase went on display to the community in January, with feedback enabling Cala Homes to shape its proposals further, before submitting the application.
Hundreds of residents, however, have been campaigning to stop the proposals for five years.
The Save Land North of Merley action group even lobbied Secretary of State Michael Gove to intervene and potentially spark a public inquiry, believing that their concerns over “insoluble transport issues” and overdevelopment had been ignored.
The 45-hectare site is on the northern edge of Poole to the north of the Merley housing estate and to the east of a housing scheme at Oakley.
It is bounded on one side by the River Stour and is split by the A31, a footpath and a former railway embankment.
Developers will be expected to make a series of financial contributions as the scheme progresses, including £4.3m towards first and middle school expansion, and more than £1m to improve local bus services.
John Richards, land and planning director at Cala Homes, said: “Consultation with local residents has helped to inform our plans for the first phase of this new residential development, and we would like to thank everyone who took part.
“Our vision is to create a legacy development of the highest quality, which seamlessly integrates not only with the existing community but also into its unique heritage rich, riverside context.
“We look forward to working with BCP Council and other key stakeholders to achieve this.”
Visit calaplanning.co.uk/oakleylane for more information.
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