Sandbanks Bungalow Demolition and Rebuild Plan Rejected for Third Time

A property developer's third attempt to replace an £825,000 chalet bungalow with a three-story mansion in the exclusive Sandbanks area of Poole, Dorset, has been unanimously refused by the local planning committee.

Businessman Mark Perkins sought to demolish the existing bungalow and construct a modern, flat-roofed property. His plans faced strong opposition from immediate neighbors, Lesley and Robert Jefferies, who argued the new development would significantly overshadow their home, block sunlight, and erode their privacy. The properties share a wall and a driveway.

Previous applications by Perkins were rejected in February and July. For this latest bid, an 'overshadowing report' was commissioned, which claimed the proposed mansion met minimum sunlight requirements. However, the planning committee was not convinced, with councilors citing concerns about the overbearing nature of the proposed building and its impact on the Jefferies' quality of life.

Mrs. Jefferies stated that the overshadowing assessment was conducted on a single sunny day and did not account for varying weather conditions or the seasonal shifts in the sun's position. She expressed fears of being 'hemmed in on all sides' and losing privacy. Concerns were also raised about the narrowness of the shared driveway, potentially hindering 24-hour access required by Mrs. Jefferies, who has Parkinson's disease.

Despite planning officers recommending approval this time, suggesting that updated plans mitigated the impact on the adjacent property, the committee voted against the development. Councilor Peter Sidaway commented that the proposal did not sufficiently address the 'overbearing nature' of the building. Councilor Brian Hitchcock suggested that any new construction would be detrimental to the neighbors, and Councilor Marion Le Poidevin questioned whether residents should face inconvenience due to another property owner's redevelopment plans.

If approved, the new property, located yards from Sandbanks beach, was projected to be valued at over £2 million. Perkins, who lives 80 miles away, had not consulted the neighbors prior to submitting his initial plans. The latest proposals indicated he would 'make good' the side elevation of the Jefferies' home after separating the properties.

New planning rules set to take effect at the end of the month will shift decision-making for individual house applications from planning committees to officers, potentially altering the process for future applications of this nature.