TWO new planning applications have been submitted to increase the appeal of a Bournemouth out-of-town retail park.

The Mallard Road retail park opposite Castlepoint could soon house a Smyths toy store – the only one in Dorset - and a Costa Coffee pod, if both applications get the approval of planners.

Smyths, which is a major toy retailer with more than 50 UK stores, is looking to move into the unit currently occupied by the electrical retailer Currys, which is being combined with the neighbouring PC World store. Currently the nearest Smyths shops are in Salisbury and Fareham.

The proposed coffee shop will be a stand-alone unit built in the car park. Additional spaces would be created so there is no overall reduction in parking.

If both applications are approved, Smyths would create around 30 permanent jobs increasing to 60 in the run-up to Christmas and the Costa Coffee up to 10 full-time and 10 part-time jobs.

In deciding whether to approve the Smyths store, planners will have to consider whether it is a “bulky goods retailer” as there is a planning condition restricting the type of shops that can open at Castlemore.

Smyths claim they fall into this category because the items they sell include nursery equipment, prams, bikes, video game consoles and large toys and games.

Their planning statement also reveals they had been looking to move into Castlepoint but the centre’s huge success means there have been hardly any vacancies.

It also points out that Castlepoint units would probably prove too expensive for Smyths, as they rent for between £650 to £750 per square metre, compared to £200 per square metre at the Mallard Road retail park.

Cllr Anne Rey, Independent councillor for Throop and Muscliff, said: “I think it would be good for the area to have more choice at the Mallard Road retail park. The more variety, the better as far as I am concerned.”