BCP Council (Christchurch): Pure Town Planning are pleased to announce that we have secured planning permission for a replacement dwelling at Dudmoor Farm Road, Christchurch. The site lies in open countryside within the South East Dorset Green Belt and has a complex planning history, which demanded a careful handling of the planning process. The existing dwelling, originally a caravan extended over time with a timber-framed structure, was confirmed as lawful through a Certificate of Lawfulness which we obtained in 2023. That certificate provided the foundation for this application.
The approved scheme, which was designed by UX Architects, replaces the existing dwelling, outbuildings and caravans with a single-storey home of contemporary design. It features timber-clad walls, a low-pitched and flat roof, PV solar panels on the south-facing slope and high-level rooflights. A single modest shed replaces the collection of existing outbuildings, giving the site a regularised layout with parking to the front and garden to the rear.
The central test was whether the replacement would be “materially larger” than the building it replaces, under NPPF paragraph GB7-1(b). Working proactively with the case officer, we refined the design to reduce its height, footprint and volume. Our case also drew on the permitted development fallback position. The officer accepted this, noting the replacement would be smaller than the fallback on both measures. The officer concluded the proposal would not be inappropriate development in the Green Belt under paragraphs GB7-1(b) and (e), and complies with Core Strategy Policy KS3 and saved Local Plan Policy H13. No very special circumstances case was therefore required to be put forward, and planning permission was granted under delegated powers.
This result shows how a well-evidenced case, built on a secure lawful use and a robust fallback position, can unlock a high-quality replacement home in even the most sensitive Green Belt locations. If you are considering a replacement dwelling or other development in the Green Belt, get in touch with the team at Pure Town Planning to discuss how we can help.