Westcoast Developments is working on a proposal for the redevelopment of the former Harrow House International School site in Swanage for houses and apartments. This exhibition provides information about the emerging proposals. Questions and feedback are encouraged.

The site has been the location of the Harrow House International School since 1969 and occupies a prominent position in the town and has done since at least the early 1900s when it was the Oldfeld School.

Update (21/12/21)

Following the public exhibition at The Mowlem theatre on Friday 17^th December 2021, and in response to queries from neighbours, we have provided a plan showing the current scheme superimposed on an aerial photograph. We trust this is of use and thank those neighbours who kindly and usefully suggested it.

The site is within the settlement boundary for Swanage and sits within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is potentially visible over long-distance views to the Heritage Coast and World Heritage coastline as can be seen from the map below (extract from the Council's adopted policies map):

The development will be assessed by the local planning authority against the policies in the Development Plan relevant to Swanage and the site. The relevant local plans include:

• The 2012 adopted Purbeck Local Plan
• The 2017 adopted Swanage Local Plan
• The emerging Purbeck Local Plan (which will replace the 2012 version) and the emerging Dorset Local Plan (which the Council says will replace all of the above from 2023/24 onwards)

The relevant policies are long and detailed in their content and can be viewed on the Council's website, however in summary they cover such things as:

• The area's 'Spatial Strategy' i.e. the Council's approach to how it will distribute the development that it is planning for.
• Landscape and heritage
• Flood risk and drainage
• Ecology, trees, and hedgerows.
• Housing design, mix, sustainability
• Housing figures; how much is needed and where it is expected to be built and when
• Affordable housing
• The contributions required from developers to fund relevant infrastructure
• Highways and access matters

Landscape and townscape are important factors in the preparation and eventual assessment of this planning application.

The applicant, through their design team, has undertaken an assessment of local vernacular and relevant documents produced by the Council, including the District Design Guide, the Landscape Character Assessment and Townscape Character Appraisals.

Site Constraints

Site Opportunities

As a result of the background work done by the applicant, the following draft proposals were created by their architects and designers. We are especially keen to hear your views on these designs, having considered the site’s history and context and the Council’s policies and documents which the applicant also has to consider.

Proposed Visuals