APARTMENTS, commercial units and a Costa café drive through planned for a site at Parley Cross have not found favour with residents.
One described the plans for the corner site off New Road and Christchurch Road at West Parley as trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
Others complain of over-development and extra traffic problems, with several calling for more green space instead.
An illustration of the development from Christchurch Road at Parley Cross
The development, of 50 sheltered flats for McCarthy Stone and 25 open market apartments, also includes proposals for a public park and square with electric vehicle charging stations. Several commercial spaces are included in the scheme which could be used for shops or offices.
The development is adjacent to a large housing scheme by Bellway Homes and next to the Lidl store site.
Proposed retirement flats block at Parley Cross
A public consultation about the proposals was held in St Mark’s Church Hall in August, with a virtual consultation running until early September – involving more than 2,000 people.
Public comments on the proposals made to Dorset Council so far on the formal submission of the plans include claims over overdevelopment and “trying to fit a square peg into a round hole”.
Said a Berkley Avenue resident: “I attended the parish council meeting when this proposal was put forward by the developers. Didn’t they get the very strong message that this development is NOT wanted by the residents? Bellway homes next door aren’t selling, why would these… I really can’t believe they are going ahead after everything we residents objected to in the meeting!”
Proposed open market flats at Parley Cross
Another said the area was already suffering from too much traffic and with the airport expansion would only get worse, even without the new housing proposals.
“Create a green space here instead of all this nonsense,” said another West Parley resident, who did welcome the café and community gardens plans.
West Parley Parish Council has opposed the development, telling Dorset Council: “The Parish Council very strongly objects to this proposal, which offers a poor architectural design with the height, the flat roof and a poor street scene design which is out of keeping with the parish and is not even in keeping with the current new development architecture. The proposed four-storey flat roof design is overbearing on this landmark site at the heart of the village.
The proposed site layout at Parley Cross
“There is concern that the main building is too close to the last remaining protected trees on the site.
“The roads of West Parley are already congested and this proposal for additional dwellings on the site will bring extra vehicles, compared to the original allocation for offices and retail.
It must be acknowledged that all of this is proposed adjacent to the busiest junction in Dorset and we consider it to be complete overdevelopment.”
The proposed Costa café and drive through at Parley Cross
Public comments on the proposals, Dorset Council reference 2024/06847, close on 23rd January.