Poole based W H White Limited has submitted a hybrid planning application to Borough of Poole for a sustainable mixed-use development known as Canford Park, located north of Bearwood.
The proposal will provide:
A total of 695 new homes, with a focus on family houses, rather than flats.
40% of which (278) will be provided as affordable homes
£4.5m towards local infrastructure (Through BoP’s Community Infrastructure Levy)
Section 106 contributions to improve the provision of school places and local doctor’s services
A new community hub providing shops, everyday services, business start-up units, a 60-bed care home and community facilities
The phased delivery of a new Country Park, the size of 61 football pitches, providing beautiful parkland, with public access to the River Stour
A network of walking and cycle routes and improved bus services to enable residents to make sustainable travel choices
Canford Park will deliver up to 695 homes, a 60-bed care home, a community hub and supporting infrastructure. It will create a unique community set alongside a new Riverside Country Park providing beautiful parkland which can be enjoyed by everyone. A new community hub will lie at its heart providing a focal point and range of community facilities, employment opportunities and small everyday shops.
Unlike many sites approved across the Borough of Poole, W H White is delighted to confirm that Canford Park will deliver 40% affordable homes meaning the provision of 278 new affordable homes. This quantum of affordable homes is a huge benefit for local people and has rarely been achieved in Poole or across Dorset as a whole.
Canford Park also places a strong and deliberate focus on family houses, rather than the predominance of flats seen elsewhere in Poole. Accommodation for older generations looking to "right size" would also be provided as well as space for a 60-bed care home within a thriving community hub.
The planning application confirms a significant investment in the local community in Bearwood and reflects the requirements for the site as set out in Policy PP10 of the adopted Poole Local Plan (November 2018).
The Poole Local Plan, which was adopted on 13 November 2018, sets out the exceptional circumstances that justify a carefully planned release of Green Belt land to help resolve the under delivery of homes in recent years. This includes Canford Park under emerging Policy UE2 for a minimum of 695 homes.
Members of Borough of Poole voted to adopt the Poole Local Plan following advice from an independent Government Planning Inspector which is highly positive in endorsing the Local Plan strategy and confirms that the Plan is sound, based on a credible evidence base and accords with national planning policy.
A representative from W H White said:
“We are delighted to be confirming the significant benefits that will be delivered by our Canford Park proposals. As well as meeting the need for new family homes, the application will secure 278 affordable homes and a circa £4.5m contribution towards local infrastructure and additional funding to help improve school and doctor’s provision in the local area. Canford Park will also help to deliver a huge area of open space for the enjoyment of the entire community.
“Our planning application marks a significant boost to those seeking to get onto the housing ladder and has been positively prepared to fulfil, as closely as possible, the requirements of the Policy for the site as set-out by Borough of Poole in the adopted Local Plan. We look forward to our application being progressed in a timely manner so that we can move forward to realise the many benefits of the proposals”.