The £1million Poole family home which was only built in 1998 is razed

This is the moment a ‘beautiful’ £1million house is razed to the ground in an act described as ‘scandalous’ by neighbours.

The family home in the Canford Cliffs suburb of Poole, Dorset, was built as recently as 1998 – but was demolished by diggers less than 25 years later despite protests from local residents.

A developer had bought the property, near Sandbanks Millionaire’s Row, in the spring of 2021 after it was listed with an indicative price of just under £1million.

They then secured planning permission to demolish it and squeeze two four-bedroom houses worth £1.25million each on the same plot, meaning a potential profit of £1.5million – minus the cost of construction.

The detached freehold property had previously sold for £445,000 in February 2000, according to property website Zoopla.

A drastic shortage of high-end housing in the local real estate market is driving up prices, which means important houses with large gardens built in the 1980s and 1990s are targeted.

Developers want to cram two or three expensive modern builds onto plots that had been used for spacious family homes.

The family home in the Canford Cliffs suburb of Poole, Dorset, was built as recently as 1998 – but was demolished by diggers less than 25 years later despite objections from local residents.

Residents who had opposed plans to demolish what would be many people’s dream home expressed frustration at seeing it destroyed.

Peter Norrie, who lives nearby, said: ‘It is truly outrageous that such a beautiful house built only over 20 years ago is being demolished in this way.

“To be replaced with two new detached houses which do not match the character or symmetry of the other houses on Compton Avenue and will be crushed on the same site only to bring in two council tax amounts.”

Neighbor Chris Cotterell said: ‘They are demolishing a building in perfect condition to install two. There seems to be a lot going on and if that’s the local authority’s strategy there’s not much you can do.

Pictured: plans for the two new houses to be built on the Canford Cliffs site.  The red dotted line represents the demolished property

Pictured: plans for the two new houses to be built on the Canford Cliffs site. The red dotted line represents the demolished property

“There seems to be a policy that wherever they can they tear down one property and build two. Years ago the plots were bigger but they are starting to squeeze the properties and it is getting tighter and tighter.

Meanwhile, local residents are fighting to preserve four protected trees on the same site which must be felled as part of the development.

Despite being subject to tree preservation orders, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council have approved plans to have the mature Monterey cypress trees killed.

Residents have appealed the decision to the local government ombudsman and hope nothing will happen until the watchdog issues a final decision.

A developer had obtained planning permission to demolish the property, near the millionaire's row of Sandbanks, and squeeze two four-bedroom houses worth £1.25million each onto the same plot

A developer had obtained planning permission to demolish the property, near the millionaire’s row of Sandbanks, and squeeze two four-bedroom houses worth £1.25million each onto the same plot

Residents who had opposed plans to demolish what would be many people's dream home have expressed frustration at seeing it destroyed

Residents who had opposed plans to demolish what would be many people’s dream home have expressed frustration at seeing it destroyed

Mr Norrie, a 64-year-old retired banker, said: “In relation to the four trees at the very bottom of the garden, I have a complaint registered with the local government ombudsman which is due in six to eight weeks.

“The Chief Executive of BCP Council and the Head of Planning are fully aware of this complaint and that until judgment the four trees must not be touched.

“We do not want a repeat of the fiasco and illegal felling of 36 protected trees at Parkstone Golf Club within 400 yards in December 2018 which the BCP Council has yet to prosecute the culprit.”

Mr Cotterell added: “Our main concern is that they are planning to cut down four mature trees that are at least 60 years old and appear to be in perfect health as they need a larger footprint for the two houses. “

“They are so strict about other landowners pruning trees, but it seems to be a different law for the local authority.”

A spokesperson for Charlew Developments, which is carrying out the work, said: ‘We have obtained full permission for everything we do there. We do not violate any regulations.

“The proposal presents a contemporary style design of high quality but with a traditional form, which creates two striking individual dwellings.”

They added that both properties will make a positive contribution to construction and the natural environment.

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