YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Responding to the Questions We’ve Been Asked Most Often
Why more development?
Like many councils across England, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council must plan for future housing needs. The emerging Local Plan is considering where new homes should be located to meet those needs.
Higher Clockhouse Farm adjoins the existing western edge of Bransgore and has been identified as a site capable of delivering much-needed housing whilst also creating significant areas of public open space, biodiversity enhancements and community benefits.
Importantly, no planning application has yet been submitted and the proposals continue to evolve.
Why this site?
Every potential development site has opportunities and constraints. Higher Clockhouse Farm has been selected because it adjoins the existing settlement, can be planned comprehensively and has the opportunity to deliver homes alongside extensive green infrastructure, public open space and environmental improvements.
The masterplan has evolved following detailed technical studies covering landscape, ecology, transport, heritage, drainage, trees and flood risk.
Bransgore is a popular place to live, but many local people struggle to find homes that meet their needs.
Young people often find it difficult to remain close to family, whilst older residents wishing to downsize have limited housing choices within the village. Providing a range of homes, including affordable housing, can help maintain a balanced community and support local schools, shops, businesses and community organisations.
Why does Bransgore need more homes?
What about traffic?
Traffic is one of the issues raised most frequently during our early discussions and is understandably important to local residents. Specialist transport consultants are carrying out detailed traffic surveys and modelling to understand how the proposals may affect the local highway network.
Where improvements are required, these will be discussed with the relevant Highway Authorities as part of the planning process. Levels of parking will be in line with required levels.
The impact on education and healthcare forms an important part of the planning process. Relevant organisations will be consulted and where additional infrastructure is required, developer contributions may be sought through the planning system.
Providing homes for younger families can also help support the long-term sustainability of local schools and village services.
Many local schools throughout Hampshire and Dorset are experiencing falling roll-numbers due to a falling birth-rate. According to NHS England, the total GP workforce in England has been increasing over the past 12–18 months, reversing several years of decline. There were around 28,800 full-time equivalent fully qualified GPs at the end of 2025, around 2% higher than a year earlier.
Will local schools and GP surgeries cope?
This has been one of the strongest themes emerging from our early discussions with local stakeholders. Our ambition is that Higher Clockhouse Farm should deliver benefits not only for future residents but also for the existing community.
That is why we are exploring opportunities including:
• extensive public open space
• improved walking routes
• children’s play
• community facilities
• potential allotments
• biodiversity enhancements
• community stewardship.
We would particularly welcome further ideas from local residents.
Will Bransgore actually benefit?
Why are you consulting before submitting a planning application?
Because good developments are shaped through conversation. At this stage the proposals remain flexible. We genuinely want local residents to tell us:
• what they support and what concerns them
• what could be improved
• what community benefits they would like to see.
Comments can help shape the final plans before any planning application is submitted.
What about flooding and drainage?
Flood risk is being assessed by specialist drainage engineers. The proposals will incorporate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), including swales, attenuation features and wetland areas that slow the movement of surface water and help manage rainfall naturally. The planning process requires developers to demonstrate that development will not increase flood risk elsewhere.
Yes.
The current proposals include up to 50% affordable housing. This will be a mixture of affordable rent and intermediate/shared ownership. Affordable housing helps provide opportunities for local families, younger people, key workers and older residents wishing to remain within the local area. The final tenure mix would be agreed through the planning process.
Will there be affordable housing?
Affordable housing allocations for affordable rent properties are made through BCP Council’s housing policies and by registered housing providers. The S106 legal agreement which would accompany any planning permission could specify a priority for the intermediate/shared ownership homes to local parishes, which we are proposing to ensure includes the Parish of Bransgore, as well as Burton, and keen to hear your views on this.
Whilst Wyatt Homes cannot allocate individual homes, we understand the importance of meeting local housing needs and will continue discussions with the Council regarding how local needs can be best addressed.
Will local people get priority?
Protecting and enhancing biodiversity is one of the key objectives of the proposals. The development has been informed by detailed ecological surveys and aims to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain through habitat creation, woodland enhancement, wetland areas and long-term ecological management.
What about wildlife?
The detailed architectural design is still evolving, as at this stage we are progressing an outline planning application. However, the proposals seek to reflect the rural character of Bransgore through:
• high-quality materials
• traditional forms
• tree-lined streets
• generous landscaping
• attractive public spaces.
Our ambition is to create a neighbourhood that feels like a natural extension of the village.
What will the homes look like?
No. No planning application has yet been submitted. Today’s exhibition forms part of the pre-application consultation process and your comments can still influence the proposals.
Has planning permission already been granted?
This has already been raised through local discussions. We think they are positive suggestions and are actively exploring whether allotments, flexible community space and other community facilities can form part of the proposals. Today’s consultation and engagement provide an opportunity to tell us how these facilities could best serve Bransgore.
Will there be allotments and community facilities?
Has planning permission already been granted?
No. No planning application has yet been submitted. Today’s exhibition forms part of the pre-application consultation process and your comments can still influence the proposals.
Existing mature trees and hedgerows have been one of the starting points for the design. They help define the landscape framework and will continue to shape the evolving masterplan. Additional tree planting is also proposed.
Will existing trees be retained?
Following this consultation we will:
✔ Review every comment received.
✔ Continue discussions with local stakeholders.
✔ Refine the proposals where appropriate.
✔ Complete the remaining technical studies.
✔ Prepare a planning application to be submitted later in 2026.
If an application is submitted, BCP Council will undertake its own consultation before making a decision.
What happens next?