We encourage you  to make your views known in a way that makes a difference.  Borough of Poole are interested in your views as this gives them a better evidence base to reflect community concerns with planning applications.

Our Poole Quays Forum guide takes you through the following steps.
  1. Viewing an application
  2. Issues to comment on
  3. Making a comment
 
In addition to our guide below, other helpful links are:
BoP guide
Bournemouth Council Guide
CPRE guide
 
If you have any queries in viewing an application, or comments on this guide, then please make a comment on our Contact Us page.

1. Viewing an Application

​To search for a planning application on the BoP website, use https://boppa.poole.gov.uk/online-applications. That should enable you find an application in various ways, by postcode, street name or planning application reference number.
Once you have located an application, you can view summary details, its current status and all related documents (including comments that others have made).  Your own comments can be added from here too (see our notes below on making a comment).
 
For planning applications that are a prime concern for us, we shall add notes and pointers on what to look for in the planning application.
 
While this guide is in an early form, the most urgent planning applications we ask you to view are:
  1. Between the Bridges  **URGENT**
  2. Poole Pottery
  3. 27-31 West Quay Road
 
In summary, what you need to do:
  • Research the application using the links above;
  • Use our guide below on what to comment on;
  • Then form your comments and submit them – again using our guidance notes below.

2. Issues to Comment on

In writing to the local planning authority, make your objection count. Be sure to mention only valid planning reasons for your objection. It’s tempting to vent your outrage, but you will be much more effective if you base your objection on a selection of the numerous grounds set out below.

Concentrate on the most relevant issues, in order of importance to you.

Impact on the locality
  • The proposal will be overbearing/ out of scale with surrounding properties
  • The scheme will cause a loss of privacy or overlooking of existing properties
  • The development will result in a loss of daylight, sunlight or shade existing properties
  • Inadequate or poorly-designed landscaping and open space
  • The visual impact is out of keeping with the local context
  • The development will impact detrimentally on a listed building or a conservation area
  • The scheme lacks vitality, with blank or inactive frontages or uses
  • The proposed design or materials are unsuitable
Consequence on the vicinity
  • The resulting development (rather than the construction process) will create ongoing noise and disturbance
  • Local infrastructure is inadequate to support the development
  • The proposal will impact on highway safety
  • Parking provision is inadequate or will put additional pressure on existing on-street parking
  • There is inadequate access for mobility-impaired users
Consideration for local community and business
  • The proposal is too dense/high – ie ‘over-development’
  • The scheme will result in a loss of employment space
  • The mix of housing tenures or sizes proposed is inappropriate for the location, and fails to address local housing needs
  • The design of the scheme will raise the fear of crime
  • There is inadequate/no provision of affordable housing
Contravenes Policy / Policy Ambitions
  • The proposal is contrary to National, Local or Neighbourhood planning policies (it helps to quote the policy)
  • Granting consent would create an unacceptable precedent
  • Granting consent would have an undesirably cumulative effect when considered alongside other local developments
  • Refer to previous planning history on the site, if it assists your argument.

Do’s and Don’ts
  • Do keep your objection impersonal and professional, and don’t forget to actually say you’re objecting!
  • Don’t make personal attacks on the developer, their personal motivations or talk about how dreadful their previous schemes have been
  • Don’t make reference to effects of the construction process (it’s a given that there will be some disruption and noise, and planners will condition a consent with site working hours etc)
  • Don’t complain at the loss of a private view (there is no legal right to a private view in planning)
  • Don’t suggest that the development will impact on local property values
  • Don’t complain that the scheme will impact on a private right of way or boundary
  • Don’t spend two pages reminiscing over how much better Poole used to be (even if it was!)

3. Making a Comment

We recommend you comment directly on the BoP website.  It is worth having your comments typed out beforehand, ready to cut & paste.
Applications can be found at https://boppa.poole.gov.uk/online-applications/, once viewing an application click the "Make a Comment" button.

Alternatively, you can email your objection to planning@poole.gov.uk or drop them a line at;
Planning and Regeneration Services,
Borough of Poole,
Civic Centre,
Poole BH15 2RU

Some links to sample letters are here: Here is a letter template you may find helpful, just over-type all parts highlighted in yellow: Template letter.

If commenting by email or post, remember to quote the planning application reference number, and be sure to address your correspondence to the case officer who is handling the application.  The name of the case officer can be found in the Comments section of the planning application on the BoP website.