Poole

Richborough Estates submitted an outline planning application to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council on the 24th July 2019 for a residential development on a 111 acre site on Oakley Lane in Wimborne.

Called Oakwood Park, the application was for up to 550 market and affordable homes, a 60 bed care home, allotments, play areas, community car park, public open space and over 16 hectares of suitable alternative natural greenspace (SANG).

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s Planning Committee granted planning permisison on February 2, 2023

The lengthy promotion period included the removal  of the site from the Greenbelt and a lengthy pre-application process that included a design review panel and two public exhibitions.The application was supported by an Environmental Statement, Design and Access Statement, Design Code, Landscape Strategy, Parameter Plans, Regulating Plan and Illustrative Masterplan. All were overseen by our in-house Design, Technical and Planning teams.

Location

The site adjoins existing development to the south and is bounded by the River Stour to the north. At the eastern end of the site is the Canford Magna Conservation Area and the Grade 1 Canford School (formerly Canford Manor House), with its former carriage drive bisecting the site. To the west is the further Conservation Area of Oakley Lane and a mix of residential and some commercial buildings.

There are several listed buildings within the vicinity of the site including some Lady Wimborne Cottages, a style associated with the former Canford Manor. There are various Tree Preservation Orders within the site boundary and part of the SANG area is within the floodplain.

Illustrative masterplan

Our masterplan proposed varied densities, building patterns and street designs to create four distinct character areas, each inspired by the sites surroundings and local Dorset vernacular. Extensive work was undertaken to ensure the layout and design of new green space integrated existing landscape features and characterised areas of the development, providing enduring buffers to the adjoining Conservation Areas and carriage drive.

The design solution worked with the various constraints within and around the site; and the approved drawings and documents provide a robust framework for the Reserved Matters applications.

Developer

The site will be delivered by our development partner Cala Homes Thames.

For further information about sites in our South West Region, Alex@richborough.co.uk 07940 179 069 or Alanna@richborough.co.uk 07939 833 356.

Application reference number: APP/19/00955/P