Plans by Questmap PLC to create 20 flats at former Christchurch civic offices are thrown out by BCP Council

A plan to turn the former Christchurch civic offices into 20 flats has been refused.

The building was controversially sold for £1.9 million to a developer in April this year.

It has lain empty since 2021 after becoming redundant with the formation of BCP Council, and had been used as a council office building since 1980.

The 26,600sqft building is part of a 1.66 acre site which includes part of the car park at the rear.

At the time of the sale it was promoted as a “waterfront site” which was an “exciting opportunity in the heart of Christchurch“.

It was brought by Questmap PLC which had applied to BCP for a change of use of the upper levels from commercial to residential to create 20 flats.

The council’s highways department had objected to the proposal due to a “substandard offer of cycle parking provision and design”.

In a report by a planning officer, it was recommended the application be refused on those grounds and also for not including an adequate bin store.

The officer also said it should be turned down because the flood risk assessment “fails to demonstrate that, for the lifetime of the development, the building is flood resistant, resilient, that it can quickly be brought back into use after a flood event and it has not considered residual risks”.

Christchurch Town Council had supported the application saying it would help with housing needs in the area.