PLANS to demolish Bournemouth’s former Royal Mail sorting office and build shops and 78 apartments in its place won unanimous approval from councillors.

The town’s planning board gave the outline proposals the green light after hearing that the historic building in Albert Road will deteriorate if it continues to be left empty.

Everything except the facade will be demolished and a six-storey building will be erected in its place.

The ground floor will be a double height commercial space with three floors of apartments above and a glazed link will connect this to another building, comprising of a commercial space and five storeys of flats above.

A third section, which will also comprise six storeys, will have a very modern design.

The proposals were submitted by developer Phillip Oram and designed by Anders Roberts Associates.

Cllr David Kelsey, chair of the planning board, said: “It was an outline submission so it was pretty much an in principle decision, just saying we were happy with the style, size and nature of the development.

“We were pleased it was in keeping with the surrounding listed buildings in the area and there were no objections from people living locally or from the adjacent church.

“Like any building, if you leave it empty long enough it’s going to end up derelict and we don’t want another Cliff End Hotel.

“We try and avoid things like that because that’s not what anyone wants.”

In a statement, Oram Moss Ltd said they were pleased with the decision.