A LARGE “unattractive” building on a key Christchurch site will be demolished to make way for flats.

The building, on the corner of Stour Road and Barrack Road, just metres from Stour Surgery, is currently used as an office and flats.

But developers Caleb Development plan to knock the building down to make way for 12 new apartments at the site along the busy main road to the town centre.

Town planners Tanner and Tilley were granted approval from Christchurch council on behalf of Caleb Development after negotiations over the design.

Workers are expected to be on the site by the end of October.

Carlie O’Neill, associate director of Tanner and Tilley, said: “This is a great site to be involved with and all the team have pulled together to gain this approval for our client. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product and understand the clients aim to be on site by late October.“ The four-storey building, designed by Aspire Architects, will have a modern look with glass balconies.

A spokesperson said the design would give this “unattractive corner site a real boost to the eye and something everyone can appreciate when waiting at the traffic lights.”

The current building is a three storey mansard roofed building.

Andrew Green, director of Caleb, added: “We are very grateful to Tanner and Tilley and Aspire for negotiating this landmark development, which we hope will be well received by all who pass this key site.”