Fears new housing targets for BCP are could lead to ‘unprecedented’ population surge

Dorset CPRE warns of environmental, infrastructural, and sustainability challenges under the Government's latest Housing Targets for BCP

Author: Jamie GuerraPublished 14th Jan 2025
Last updated 14th Jan 2025

New housing targets for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have been called “unrealistic” by the Dorset CPRE.

The Government target is to build 44,000 new homes over the next 15 years, almost double the Council’s Local Plan.

But campaigners have warned that these targets could lead to an “unprecedented population surge” of over 100,000 people.

Andrew Proctor, Chair of the Dorset CPRE, told us: “If they build 40,000 houses across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the green belt land we still have would just disappear, it would be a tragedy.

“Bournemouth is a lovely place, why do they want to destroy it? And as soon as Bournemouth becomes overbuilt, they'll start building on all the green areas around it which is the rest of Dorset.”

Dorset CPRE fear that such developments risk 'severe' environmental damage, infrastructure overload, and unsustainable urban sprawl.

The proposed targets raise critical concerns about the sustainability of growth in the BCP area.

The region is home to nationally significant environments, including Poole Harbour, lowland heathlands and the rivers Stour and Avon.

Mr Proctor said: “There’s an awful lot of areas around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are already under pressure from pollution, climate change, and urban expansion and therefore should never be built on.

“The region is limited in its available space, you've got the sea on one side, Poole Harbour on the other and protected heathland, which are basically SSIs, to the north.

Campaigners say increased housing near Poole Harbour would only exacerbate nutrient runoff and subsequently damage marine ecosystems.

Meanwhile, low-lying coastal areas like Mudeford and Poole Quay are highly susceptible to rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

Dorset CPRE argues that BCP’s unique environmental and infrastructural constraints justify a departure from the standard method of assessing housing needs.

Mr Proctor said: “The current method relies on outdated population projections and does not account for BCP's slower population growth trends.

“This discrepancy creates unrealistic expectations that threaten to overwhelm the region's fragile ecosystems and constrained infrastructure.”

Campaigners have called for “realistic, sustainable housing numbers” including provision for affordable and social homes for local people, while protecting the environment and Green Belt.

The Deputy Prime Minister has written to every council Leader and Chief Executive in England to say that there is “not just a professional responsibility but a moral obligation to see more homes built”, and that she will not hesitate to use her powers of intervention should it be necessary – including taking over an authority’s plan making directly.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

Rayo PremiumRayo Premium

Music Marathon

Greatest Hits Radio (South Coast)