Town retirement flats complex given go-ahead

The flats will be built on the former Southern Gas Network site in Christchurch

A new retirement complex of nearly 180 flats can be built on the site of a former gas works in Christchurch, a planning inspector has decided.

Churchill Retirement Living submitted the application to the Planning Inspectorate, arguing Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council had taken too long to make a decision.

Planning inspector Jonathan Bore found there was a "demonstrable need" for the apartments.

He also said they would help remove "the air of dereliction" from the former Southern Gas Network site in Bridge Street.

BCP Council said it would have eventually rejected the application so Churchill Retirement Living would have had to pay for an appeal, Mr Bore said.

But in his decision, published on Monday, he said concerns about the impact on nearby listed buildings and flooding were unfounded.

Churchill Retirement Living and BCP Council applied to have their respective costs paid for by the other side but Mr Bore dismissed those claims.