Poole Council have now adopted the Local Plan. In doing so, they have removed Greenbelt Land Protection for a large part of what was Knighton Farm.

So, what does that mean for Bearwood ? We now, imminently expect, planning applications to build.

An ambitious application at Knighton Farm would see Bearwood increase in size by 1200 extra homes in the next 5 years. Further applications in Merley & Longham would see that figure double to more than 2500 - all within a 3 mile radius.

That's a huge increased demand on existing infrastructure ; Roads, GP services, School places and other Essential Services.

Imagine the impact on ; Journey times, Traffic congestion, Pollution (noise and air), Accessing GP services, School places, Recreational space and our Health and Wellbeing.

Poole Council propose to mitigate the risks in these areas, by providing more cycle lanes, encouraging more people to walk and asking bus operators to lay on new services. Education & Healthcare investment remains unclear.

Clearly Poole Council will need to think again ! Far more robust measures will be required to support such large-scale development. The Community Infrastructure Levy, (a fee all developers pay to the local authority to fund infrastructure improvement) could fund this need. Alas much of this levy has been ring-fenced to regenerate Poole Town Centre.

So, we must challenge the viability of individual planning applications. We will require some expert, independent support to do that. A detailed traffic survey for example would allow us to challenge the assertion that cycle lanes, buses and more walking are realistic mitigation strategies.

Whether we like it or not, new homes will be built. The number and location of homes must be both appropriate and realistic - and so too, the investment required to support.

Your donation would help us challenge Poole Council in the right way. We appreciate your support.

Thank you

For more information regarding Bearwood Action Group and its current actvity please click the link below.

Bearwood Action Group Facebook page

For more information on the proposed development at Knighton Farm, please click on the link below. Once the full planning application has been lodged we will update this link.

Site UE2 Knighton Farm