Sandbanks businessman accused of turning millionaires’ playground right into a ‘mini Manhattan’ with plans to ‘shoe-horn’ £700k property onto plot of land
A Sandbanks businessman has been accused of turning the millionaires’ playground into a ‘mini Manhattan’ after he announced plans to build a £700,000 property.
Spencer Whitworth has submitted a planning application to build a two-bedroom bungalow on one of the few open spaces left on the exclusive peninsula – where the average home sells for over £1.2million.
If approved, the property will back immediately onto the boundaries of two luxury detached homes.
Concerned residents have warned that building over ‘every available square inch’ left on Sandbanks was turning the posh neighbourhood into a version of Benidorm or even Manhattan.
And they have accused Mr Whitworth, a chartered surveyor and director of Sandbanks Yacht Company, of ‘shoe-horning’ a home into the tiny triangular plot.
Professor Norman Noah, an eminent epidemiologist whose property will be closest to the bungalow said: ‘The proposed building will back almost onto our back garden, with the proposed access route for cars directly behind our garden fence.
‘It seems utterly incongruous to build any house, even a bungalow, on what is possibly the last remaining area of green site land left on Sandbanks. There are so few areas of untouched land left here.
‘Sandbanks is already completely overburdened with building. It will seem like a miniature Manhattan, albeit with not quite so tall buildings – but at least Manhattan has a Central Park, which contributes a bit of greenery and trees.’
A digital rendering of what the bungalow will look like (circled). If approved, the property will back immediately onto the boundaries of two luxury detached homes
The empty plot of land (pictured) is one of the last open spaces left on the peninsula. Concerned residents have warned that building over ‘every available square inch’ left on Sandbanks was turning it into Manhattan
He continued: ‘This proposed building is a clear sign of over development of a completely unsuitable small remaining piece of land in the very middle of block of flats and houses.
‘This is not an area on which to build, and it is certainly not going to help towards the country’s housing problem.’
Other neighbours complained about the potential parking problems the bungalow could create for residents in the block of flats, where Mr Whitworth, 53, lives in the penthouse.
The access to the new property would be through the flats’ car park and involve demolishing a garage to make a narrow access route to the bungalow.
Lisa Elston, who lives in the flats, said the parking is already problematic since Mr Whitworth became their landlord and built himself a penthouse on the top of their block.
She said: ‘The plot was only ever planned for nine flats. This is the pinnacle of overdevelopment post two penthouse developments and over occupancy.
‘This proposal is so obviously crammed in to an awkward plot that I can’t see what it would offer anyone.
‘This is becoming like Benidorm rather than the respectful peaceful block it once was.’
The application claims there would be no overlooking of neighbours as a 6ft fence would be erected around the property.
An aerial view of Sandbanks in Dorset. Homes on the exclusive peninsula regularly sell for over £1million
However, fellow neighbour Gary Firmager claimed that the bungalow would be overbearing and intrusive.
He also raised concerns about the loss of habitat for animals such as slow worms, birds and butterflies that the scrub land provides.
Resident Sean Taylor said: ‘The scheme appears to be ‘shoe horned’ in and will have a negative impact on the local area and adjacent properties, with hardly any amenity space, making it totally unacceptable.’
Mr Whitworth has been approached for comment.
But in a statement submitted alongside the application, planning agent Darryl Howells said: ‘The site is a vacant parcel of land.
‘The site comprises an existing garage that will need to be demolished to provide access and an area of undeveloped shrub.
‘The appearance of garaging and undeveloped scrub does not have any intrinsic value to the overall character of the area. The site is therefore clearly an acceptable location for a residential dwelling.
‘The development will make more efficient use of this site, delivering a new contemporary bungalow. It will also contribute to an identified shortfall in housing supply in Poole by providing an additional dwelling.’
‘The design of the proposal, whilst unashamedly innovative and unique, would not have any material harmful impacts on the character and appearance of the area that would be sufficient to justify refusing planning permission.’
