PLANS to demolish an entire close of homes in Branksome and replace them with two blocks of flats are facing fierce opposition.

Fortitudo Property is seeking permission to build 40 two and three-bedroom flats spread over two four-storey blocks at the site at The Green, a side road off Bournemouth's leafy Branksome Hill Road, along with 52 parking spaces.

At the moment the developer does not own the five family houses, which were only built in the late 1990s, and are worth an estimated £700,000 each.

Among those expressing concern about the scheme, within a Conservation Area, are ward councillors Andrew Morgan and Philip Broadhead.

Cllr Morgan, who has 'called the scheme in' to ensure it is decided by councillors not officers, said: "What is at issue here is the demolition of five lovely family homes set on well-managed, generous plots.

"As members of the planning board know well, Bournemouth needs family homes more than ever and the loss of these dwellings would clearly be detrimental to this type of housing provision.

"Clearly the decision to sell your home to a developer is one that rests with the conscience of the individual owner. I believe, however, that there needs to be due consideration given by the Planning

Board to the bigger picture of the consequences of these plans and their impact on the Conservation Area, parking, congestion, pollution and the broader environment. "

He said the blocks would be "large and overbearing" and "too bulky", and that too little parking had been proposed.

John Green, crime prevention and design advisor for Dorset Police, has submitted a statement in support of the plans, but adds: "I am disappointed to read that family homes built in the 1990s are to be destroyed and replaced as flats."

More than 50 letters objecting to the scheme have been submitted by residents of nearly roads, as well as the Talbot and Branksome Woods Residents Association, with many expressing concern over the extra traffic.

In one letter, Steve James of Branksome Hill Road said: "The appetite of developers to demolish family homes around us and replace them with blocks of flats seems relentless."

In another, Noel Davenport of Glenferness Avenue said: "This is nothing less than architectural vandalism in a Conservation Area. The existing high specification dwellings

were only recently constructed, in keeping with the area."

In its application, Fortitudo says the existing houses "are considered to make a negative contribution to the wider Conservation Area".

It says: "It is firmly considered the proposed development has recognised the failings of older flatted developments in this area and through a holistic design process will

introduce two high quality built forms on this site which will make a positive contribution to the wider Conservation Area."

As yet no meeting date has been set.