Key Considerations

North Dorset Council cannot demonstrate a 5 Year Housing Land supply (a key requirement for each council). As a result, there is a deficit in the ability to provide enough homes to meet established demand within the district, Gillingham included. The former North Dorset council area has a supply deficit of over 1,000 homes when considered against their requirement.

 The development will increase the number of homes available to residents of the Gillingham area by 42 units. These will provide a mix of housing options expanding the choice of housing in the area. This is an important aspect of the development as it helps reduce the demand and lack of delivery of housing for Gillingham.  

Dorset has a much faster ageing population than the rest of the UK. Mostly due to the larger older population Dorset has, paired with a declining birth rate.

29% of Dorset's population is 65+, which is predicted to rise by 2% every year. This poses an immediate action that needs to be taken regarding appropriate development, so as to aid the impacts of the ageing population within Dorset.

 The council produces population projections for up to 25 years to anticipate housing need that helps to inform local plans, including demand for specialist provision for older people.
Part of the proposal is to include senior/ assisted living for elderly  residents within Gillingham.  Dorset Council highlight how  availability of appropriate housing is key to supporting older people, to maintain their health and wellbeing. 

The current car park is privately owned and is not a public car park, it was however previously part of the Coop's lease but that is now expired. 

In terms of the loss of this parking, this will happen in any event as it is located on private land and there are various alternative car parks available within the town centre which provides ample options for parking. 

Parking options include the dedicated High Street car park to the west of the town centre,  Gas Lane car park, the Waitrose and Chantry Fields car park to the  south of the town centre and 'Just Park' that is situated just off the High Street. 

These options are all in addition to the various  on-street parking options throughout the town.  

The proposed site is a highly sustainable location. It is a short distance away from key every facilities, removing the need to rely on use of the private car thus promoting more active forms of travel such as walking or cycling. 

As well as this, the proposal seeks the inclusion of green roofs and photovoltaic panels on roofs that feature across the site. In addition of the environmentally friendly, energy efficient aspects of the proposal, it also falls on brownfield land as opposed to greenfield which is a more green way of developing. By making use of previously developed land, instead of using open green space is a form of recycling within development. 

The promotion of cycle parking throughout the new development encourages a healthier way of living by favouring active forms of travel over use of the private vehicle. By providing cycle parking spaces, car dependency can be reduced, in turn having social and environmental benefits.