COMMENTS FROM THE PURBECK SOCIETY ON PLANNING APPLICATION
P/OUT/2024/03253: PROPOSALS FOR HARROW HOUSE, SWANAGE – 10.06.26
Previous applications have been unpopular in Swanage particularly on account of the percentage of affordable housing which is so badly needed in the area. This application continues to ignore the policy of Dorset Council which states that developments should include 30% affordable homes.
It also fails to recognise the carefully considered recommendations made in the soon-to-be-published Dorset Local Plan and the final draft of the Swanage Neighbourhood Plan that development of this site should be limited to 45 dwellings
We continue to applaud the policy of retaining and converting the original Arts and Crafts School Building to apartments.
However, the revised plan still has the appearance of crowding too many buildings onto a site which lies in an area identified in the Swanage Neighbourhood Plan as an area of distinctive character with large mature gardens. The proposed gardens are very small and nearly half of the proposed dwellings are apartments with no private outdoor space at all.
It is clear from the plans that the hill-top site will largely replace green playing fields with hard roads, parking areas, pavements and buildings leading to problems with disposal of surface water at a time when climate change is becoming such an important issue.
We also have concerns about possible light pollution, particularly for those enjoying the view from the Durlston side of town.
The effect of creating extra traffic have not been addressed, both in terms of pressure on the proposed access via a quiet residential cul-de-sac, surrounding streets, and indeed, access to Purbeck itself.
For all these reasons the Purbeck Society continues to oppose the amended Planning Application on the grounds of over-development. This exceptional prominent and beautiful site deserves better than this.
These comments were read out at the Swanage Town Council’s Extraordinary Planning Meeting to discuss the revised planning application. The meeting was held on Thursday 11 June at 6:00pm at the Town Hall.
Planning Application Details: Application Number P/OUT/2024/03253 is an amended version of a 2024 proposal (link: https://planning.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/plandisp.aspx?recno=406309).
Important Note: The deadline for public comments is Monday 15 June. Given the limited time remaining, we strongly encourage residents to review the application and submit their comments—whether in support or objection—as soon as possible.