The Housing Completion and Supply Analysis Paper submitted by Borough of Poole during the recent examination on the Poole Local Plan, identified that there were only 308 completions of new homes during 2017/18 year.
This was less than half of the Council’s forecast of 650 homes and significantly below the Local Plan target of 500 homes per annum.
This is a familiar picture in the Borough of Poole and the Paper also identified that new home completions have reached an average rate of 307 new home completions per year in the 9 years since the economic slowdown of 2008. Consequently, the annual delivery of housing has fallen below the target in 4 of the first 5 years of the Local Plan period 2013-2033.
The document however explains the geographical constraints in the Poole area and therefore sets-out the case for a stepped approach to housing delivery through the Local Plan period.
Such an approach is reflective of the Council’s emerging Local Plan which includes allocations for the release two key sites from the Green Belt to help resolve the under delivery of homes in recent years. This includes Canford Park under emerging Policy UE2 for a minimum of 800 homes.
The new homes for Canford Park could also address Poole’s need for family houses, which will complement the predominantly flatted schemes likely to be brought forward within the Regeneration Area and the wider urban area.
The Housing Completion and Supply Analysis Report also acknowledges the essential role that sites UE1 and UE2 will play in bringing forward Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace or SANG for short (and akin to a country park) to ensure that the occupation of new housing will not have an adverse effect upon the flora and fauna of the Dorset Heathlands.
Canford Park will enable the delivery of a huge 44-hectare area of natural green space for public access, also opening unparalleled public access along the southern bank of the River Stour where hitherto no such access has been available for public enjoyment. This area will provide a considerable leisure resource with a plethora of opportunities for recreation and exercise.