BCP Council (Bournemouth): After an unnecessarily prolonged 10-month planning process, Pure Town Planning have successfully secured planning permission for the temporary storage use and siting of 32 storage containers at Yeomans Industrial Park, Bournemouth. The proposals were designed by JOLP for our client Bournemouth Storage Solutions.
The application sought consent for a five-year temporary self-storage facility comprising 32 storage containers on a vacant parcel of land within an established employment area. Despite the relatively straightforward nature of the proposal and the absence of any technical objections, the application experienced significant delays, limited communication and a lack of meaningful progress from the appointed case officer.
Following months of inactivity, Pure Town Planning escalated the matter directly to senior planning officers. The intervention resulted in a review of the application’s handling, with the Head of Planning clearly acknowledging the concerns as once reviewed, the application moved swiftly through the system and planning permission was granted within 24 hours!
The officer’s report concluded that the proposal was fully compatible with the site’s employment allocation and complied with the Council’s planning policies.Key findings included:
- The site is located within an established industrial estate and allocated employment area where storage and distribution uses are supported in principle.
- The proposed storage use was considered compatible with surrounding commercial and industrial operations.
- No objections were received from statutory consultees, including Highways, Ecology, Trees and Environmental Health.
- No public objections were submitted during the consultation period.
- The development would have no unacceptable impact on neighbouring amenity, with the nearest residential properties located more than 50 metres away.
- The containers were considered visually acceptable within the industrial estate setting and subordinate to surrounding commercial buildings.
- Adequate parking and cycle storage were provided in accordance with local standards.
- The proposal would make a positive contribution to the local economy and commercial base while providing a valuable storage service for the area.
In reaching its recommendation, the Council concluded that:
“The weight in favour of the proposals would outweigh any disbenefits such that the scheme should be approved.”
The officer further confirmed that the development would not materially harm the character of the area, neighbouring amenity, highway safety or ecological interests.
This case demonstrates the importance of proactive planning representation. While the technical planning merits of the proposal were strong from the outset, progress stalled for many months due to poor case management by the appointed planning officer at the Council. By persistently pursuing the application, challenging delays and escalating concerns to senior decision-makers when necessary, Pure Town Planning ensured that the proposal received the result the scheme deserved.
If your planning application has stalled, communication has broken down, or you are facing unreasonable delays from a local planning authority – join the queue! Or contact Pure Town Planning and we can take a look and see if we can help move matters forward to a more timely determination.