Vivir Estates is facing intense backlash in Southbourne after proposing a new two-storey residence on the area's final piece of green space. This follows the controversial "180 Degrees South" luxury flat development in Bournemouth, which has already significantly altered the local landscape.

The 2023 appeal that unlocked 180 Degrees South

The current friction in Southbourne is part of a long-running saga involving the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and the developer Vivir Estates.. According to the report, the tension traces back to 2017 when the council sold the Southbourne Crossroads car park. While the council initially rejected two planning applications for the site, a 2023 appeal successfully overturned those decisions, allowing the 27-flat "180 Degrees South" project to proceed.

This history of legal battles and planning reversals has created a climate of deep distrust among the roughly one hundred homeowners who feel their quality of life has been diminished. The completion of the luxury blocks has already obscured long-standing sea views over Poole Bay, a loss that residents argue was never properly accounted for during the initial consultation phases.

A two-storey house on Southbourne's last green strip

The latest proposal from Vivir Estates involves constructing a detached two-storey house on the narrow footpath that currently serves as the district's last green buffer. This new structure would include a roof terrace designed to capture the very coastal views that residents like Liz Bates claim were stolen from them. Bates has publicly accused Vivir Estates director Eddie Fitzsimmons of breaking promises made to the community during earlier stages of the development .

The £50,000 threat to local property values

Beyond the loss of greenery, the dispute involves a contentious 20-foot by 8-foot concrete privacy wall that was erected last year. residents allege this wall, intended to extend a roof terrace, was built in violation of existing planning permissions. The report notes that estate agents have warned that these cumulative developments could slash the value of nearby homes by as much as £50,000, potentially leaving some of the 24 properties directly opposite the tallest block unsellable.

Will the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council enforce existing safeguards?

Several critical questions remain regarding the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council's oversight of the Southbourne site. It remains unverified whether the council will allow the retroactive approval of the controversial concrete wall or if they will implement stricter protections for the remaining green space. Additionally, the community is left wondering if the legal claims for compensation regarding lost privacy and views will gain traction in court.