"Ridiculous situation" as fence plan could force children to walk a mile to school
A link to a planned housing development is causing problems
Last updated 25th Jan 2022
Moves to protect heathland near a planned housing development in Poole could result in children living there having to walk almost a mile to get to school – rather than take only a minute.
Natural England have insisted on a close-board fence along one side of the 45-home scheme off Wheeler’s Lane in Bearwood to reduce pedestrian or cycle access to the byway and via it, to Canford Heath beyond.
BCP’s planning committee heard that the consequence would be an inward looking development on the site, off Neville Gardens, which turned its back on the community and children being unable to easily walk to Bearwood Primary School or get to local shops – forcing many to make the trips by car.
The committee unanimously approved the Barrett-David Wilson Homes housing development but council planning and legal officers will now attempt to persuade Natural England that the fence is unnecessary.
If they are unable to do so the application may have to come before councillors again.
Several committee members said that even if the fence was built there was every likelihood that it would not be long before someone made a way through it.
Others argued that there was nothing to stop anyone walking on the health and even if all the residents chose to do so, which was unlikely, the damage to the heathland would be negligible, compared to the environmental damage of people driving unnecessarily.
Committee chairman Cllr David Kelsey said the insistence by Natural England on having a close-board fence to stop pedestrian and cycle access to Wheeler’s Lane made no sense at a time when the Government, and the council, wanted more people to walk or cycle.
"We are happy with the scheme. It’s just that Natural England want to boss us about…having that walk around is a ridiculous situation," he said.
The council’s planning officers, and the developers, had originally put the link route into the plans for the site but removed it at the insistence of the Government-backed body who claimed it was necessary to protect the heath.
All the ward councillors said they would like to see the link retained and welcome the proposal for 18 of the new homes to be affordable, either for rent, or shared ownership.
Said Cllr Richard Burton: "Not having the link will increase a one minute walk to school to at least 15 or 16 minutes, having to go all the way round.
"People will either get in their cars, adding to the traffic, or will breach the fence," he said.
The site is adjacent to the Canford Paddock scheme for 324 homes which is currently under construction with a site for 690 homes recently approved on the northern side of nearby Magna Road.