Christchurch Borough Council
Christchurch Borough Council
Christchurch Harbour and Priory
Christchurch is a small Dorset local authority. It is a largely urban borough centred around the historic town of Christchurch set on the smaller of the two natural harbours of Dorset. The borough forms part of the wider south east Dorset conurbation also incorporating the coastal suburbs of Somerford and Highcliffe. It also stretches inland to incorporate much of the urban periphery of Bournemouth including Bournemouth Airport.
Latest News from Christchurch
Key points about developing in Christchurch
Development Plan: Christchurch has yet to adopt a Core Strategy so work to the saved policies of a pretty out-of-date 2001 Local Plan. A Core Strategy is being worked up jointly with East Dorset and adoption is scheduled for autumn 2013.
Pre-application advice: Christchurch charges for this service: £175 for minor proposals (1-9 new dwellings, commercial up to 1000 sqm), £350 for larger proposals, no charge for householder and change of use. Call us for advice on whether this service is worthwhile in your case.
Affordable Housing: Affordable housing will be sought on proposals of 15 or more dwellings or 1 hectare or more. On such sites 30% of the dwellings are required to be affordable. Note: the draft Core Strategy proposes to remove the threshold so that every new dwelling is expected to contribute. The Core Strategy is expected to be adopted in autumn 2013 leaving a relatively short period to take advantage of the presently generous affordable threshold and secure consents on small sites.
Section 106 contributions:
Dorset Heathlands (the whole Borough is within 5km of a heathland site) – £952 for a flat and £1,524 for a house
Transport – part of the South East Dorset Transport Contributions Scheme , for new residential units it is now £1,750 for a one bedroom unit with an additional £350 for each bedroom up to a maximum of £2,800 – they should take into account the number of traffic movements the previous use generates.
Special policy restrictions:
A few areas of the Borough are within 400m of heathlands sites and there no additional residential units are allowed.
Significant areas of the Borough including much around the town centre are restricted in terms of new residential development due to future predicted flood risk.
Note:
Developers who find that developing in Bournemouth and Poole is too costly would be well advised to look to opportunities available in Christchurch given the lack of affordable housing on smaller sites and generally lower contributions.
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