Flats development plan for Bulstrodes Auctions site in Christchurch

A PRIME site in the centre of Christchurch could see a major housing development of three five-storey blocks of 34 flats.

The site is currently occupied by Bulstrodes Auctions, but an agent for the Bulstrode family says the business is not under immediate threat.

While the Bulstrode family owns the land, the auction house is run by Kate Howe Ltd, which trades as Bulstrodes Auctions, with director auctioneers Kate Howe and Robin Higgins.

It has been there since 1919 and claims to be “the busiest auction house in the Bournemouth area” with sales every fortnight.

The Bulstrode family’s agent Simon Trueick, MD of Intelligent Land, said the outline application had been submitted to BCP after pre-application advice from the council in July last year.

He said: “The application is submitted by the Bulstrode family entirely on their own behalf. The occupiers of the Stour Road premises have been and are fully aware of the application which has no implications for that business but is simply a way of establishing potential future value of the site.”

Mr Trueick added: “The auction business has changed a lot with viewing and bidding online, especially post-Covid. This is no sudden decision, but longer term they won’t need as much space and it makes sense to realise the potential value of the site.

“This does not mean Bulstrodes is going to close tomorrow.”

Regarding the application, Mr Trueick said: “It is a really good location. Although technically it does not need to provide parking, the scheme includes parking for 34 cars – one for each flat – as well as cycle storage.”

The site, close to the A35, has the main railway line along the northern boundary, a timber yard to the east, and Salvation Army hall and homes to the south.

The emerging BCP local plan shows the site as suitable for housing as an alternative use.

Mr Trueick said that the site would suit apartments rather than houses, and lent itself to homes for first-time buyers. The outline application, which is “detailed only to be indicative of what could be built”, provides for six one-bed flats, 24 two-bed and four three-bed, with photo voltaic solar panels on the rooftops.

The planners’ decision could take several months, Mr Trueick added.

Kate Howe Ltd has been approached for comment.