PLANS to build two blocks of flats on a Bournemouth town centre car park have been given the go-ahead by councillors.

The proposed development at the St Stephen’s Road car park, which was approved by planners on Monday, comprises two blocks of seven and six storeys, with 46 flats but only 36 parking spaces.

Parking issues were among those considered by councillors at the meeting, as well road safety, bank stability, and the scheme’s impact on the neighbouring Grade I Listed St Stephen’s Church.

Cllr Lynda Price suggested that with 81 people occupying the mixture of one, two, and three bedroom flats, there was a “deficit” of 45 car parking spaces.

Officers said based on car ownership figures, the number of spaces was acceptable.

St Stephen’s Road car park is currently a surface car park used during weekday office hours by council staff. At weekends and on weekday evenings, it operates as a pay-and-display public facility.

The developers, Bournemouth Development Company (BDC) – a partnership between the borough council and Morgan Sindall Investments – proposed to provide traffic calming measures in St Stephen’s Way to allow the speed limit to be reduced to 20mph, after concerns were raised by the council’s transport officer.

The site, according to the officer’s report, will also require work to shore up the bank on which it is situated as the retaining wall is “currently failing”.

The plans will see 12 trees removed, but 50 new trees will be planted, all subject to preservation orders.

Commenting on the design of the £12.5m development, Cllr Price said: “All I can say is thank God for trees because I don’t think it’s a particularly attractive design. It looks like pressed cardboard.”

The officer responded that the “functional” and “muted” design was deliberate so the scheme will not overshadow the church.

Before the unanimous vote to approve the proposals, chairman of the board, Cllr David Kelsey, said the application was “good for the area”.

The development includes 13 one bedroom flats, 31 two bedroom flats and two three bedroom flats, with 52 cycle parking spaces. Work on the site is set to begin this autumn.

Duncan Johnston, director of BDC, said: “We are confident it will complement the wider area in terms of its design, appearance and contribution to place making and the town centre economy.”