Residents in row with developer over £10million clifftop homes plan
Property developer angers locals with bid to turn £3m clifftop plot overlooking millionaire’s row Sandbanks into £10m super-development
- Property developers bought the £3million bungalow and surrounding site at Canford Cliffs, Poole, in Dorset
- Bayview Developments now want to divide site into three luxury houses, including one neo-classical mansion
- Residents in the affluent area have raised concerns over the plans for the site, near to exclusive Sandbanks
A property developer’s plan to convert a £3million plot overlooking exclusive Sandbanks into a £10million super-development has sparked anger among local residents.
Bayview Developments want to convert the prime plot, currently occupied by a bungalow, into a site for three luxury homes – including a neo-classical mansion.
But residents in the affluent area of Canford Cliffs, just a stone’s throw away from the millionaire’s row, Sandbanks, in Poole, Dorset, say the plans will ‘unbalance’ the seaside cul-de-sac and make it appear ‘common.’
Others are concerned the modern, flat-roofed and straight-lined homes will take away the ‘Alpine Lodge look’ of the area.
And there are also fears the scale of the building work may even weaken and destabilise the 80ft crumbling cliff.
Mark Glowacki, who lives in Ravine Court, a block of flats in the Meriden Close cul-de-sac, said: ‘The proposed buildings are much closer to the cliff edge than the original property.
Developers hope to convert the prime plot, currently occupied by a single bungalow, into a site for three luxury homes (pictured: An artist’s impression of one of the homes) – including one neo-classical mansion
But residents in the affluent area of Canford Cliffs, just a stone’s throw away from the exclusive Sandbanks, in Poole, Dorset, say the plans (pictured: An artist’s impression of one of the homes) will ‘unbalance’ the seaside cul-de-sac and make it appear ‘common’
Others are concerned the modern, flat-roofed and straight-lined homes will take away the ‘Alpine Lodge look’ of the area. Pictured: The current bungalow on the site
There are also fears the scale of the building work may even weaken and destabilise the 80ft crumbling cliff. Pictured: A satellite view of the site with the boundary areas mapped out
‘All other properties in the area are set a long way back from the cliff edge. The stability issues of the cliff in the area are well known.
‘The new proposed buildings will cause instability and may affect my neighbouring property.
‘The council should independently assess whether the proposed plans will cause unacceptable risk to the stability of the surrounding area.
‘The proposals for the site are certainly an over-development of the small area.’
The site was previously home to the luxury Canford Cliffs Hotel until it was bombed in the Second World War.
After that the large detached bungalow that stands today was built on the sprawling 1.5 acre plot.
The bungalow was bought last year by Bill Buckler, of Bayview Developments, for just over £3million. His company set about dividing the site into three building plots.
The bungalow (pictured front centre) was bought last year by Bill Buckler, of Bayview Developments, for just over £3million. His company set about dividing the site into three building plots.
They have recently submitted plans for the £4.5million four-bed mansion that will have a swimming pool complex and a two-bed annexe earmarked for the second plot. Pictured: The current bungalow
The site was previously home to the luxury Canford Cliffs Hotel (pictured here) until it was bombed in the Second World War
After the hotel was bombed in the Second World War, the large detached bungalow that stands today was built on the sprawling 1.5 acre plot
They gained planning permission for a detached four bedroom house worth £3million on one plot which is currently being built.
They have recently submitted plans for the £4.5million four-bed mansion that will have a swimming pool complex and a two-bed annexe earmarked for the second plot.
The company also put in for planning application for three townhouses on the third plot. Although this was refused, it is thought they will come back with more plans.
Last September the local authority began a nine month project to shore up the cliffs in the area following a landslip. The work involves piling 15m long ‘soil nails’ into the cliff face.
Commenting on the modern home currently being built resident, Clive Crossley, added: ‘The site has some historical significance going back to 1905 when the prestigious Canford Cliffs Hotel was built.
‘The other buildings all have pitched roofs, similar to the original hotel building.
‘A flat-roof building would break the continuity of the skyline. The Close would lose its Alpine Village appearance.’
Alan Harrison said: ‘Meriden Close is a small cul-de-sac arranged as five designated building plots on the site of the former Canford Cliffs Hotel garden.
The company also put in for planning application for three townhouses on the third plot (pictured: The garden of the current bungalow). Although this was refused, it is thought they will come back with more plans.
The garden (pictured) overlooks the cliffs at Canford Cliffs and backs onto the beach in Poole, Dorset. To the right is the even more exclusive Sandbanks
Last September the local authority began a nine month project to shore up the cliffs in the area following a landslip. The work involves piling 15m long ‘soil nails’ into the cliff face
The site is in affluent Canford Cliffs in Poole, Dorset, just a stone’s throw away from the even more exclusive Sandbanks – a millionaire’s row
‘There is a complex restrictive covenant in force, stating that each plot is for a single dwelling only. The reason stated for this covenant is ‘to prevent the estate becoming like all other holiday towns, crowded and common’..’
But Mr Buckler said the development will add value to the whole cul-de-sac and insisted it would not weaken the cliff.
He said: ‘Bayview Developments have built up an enviable reputation for creating award winning, thoughtfully de-signed new homes on brownfield sites. Much care and attention is given to the appearance, layout and landscaping of each project.
‘Originally it was felt that a 3-4 storey block of luxury apartments might suit the character of the location. But Bayview were persuaded that Meriden Close was designed for houses, and so have set out to design beautiful homes worthy of such a premier position.
‘The application being considered should improve and open out the oblique sea views from residents of Ravine Court next door, and if approved will no doubt add value and prestige to the existing homes in the close.
‘The ground conditions have been tested in detail with core samples taken down to sea level, and fortunately there are no stability issues with replacing one home for another.
‘The rendered elevations respect the palette of the existing property and near neighbours, and even the small third storey turret room is a nod to the past as one can clearly be seen on the Canford Cliffs Hotel.’
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