CONTROVERSIAL plans have now been submitted to demolish a Poole pub and replace it with a convenience store and 10 flats.

The application for the Sea View Hotel in Ashley Road has already attracted more than 50 responses from the public – the vast majority objecting. Most had concerns about additional traffic on the notorious Sea View Roundabout, which has been criticised as dangerous and badly designed after its ‘naked road’ revamp under the Three Towns Travel project.

The roundabout has three pedestrian crossings and four bus stops in close proximity and was the site of a fatal collision between a car and a pedestrian in October last year.

A residents' action group staged a protest calling for changes to the layout earlier this year.

Residents commenting on the planning application have said additional traffic there could be “very dangerous” and even be “putting lives at risk”.

One commented: “The Sea View roundabout is dangerous enough as it is without adding to it.” Another added: “There has already been one death there and many near misses - me among them.”

Marty Caine, who led calls for the roundabout to be redesigned, said it was “already far too dangerous”.

Others lamented the loss of the historic Victorian hotel, which is regarded by some as ‘a landmark.’

One said: “Future generations will not thank you.” Others asked why the building wasn’t listed.

The application sets out plans for a three-storey building with 20 parking spaces, 10 for the flats, the rest for shoppers. Access would be on Sea View Road, with a service road entrance on Ashley Road.

The pub is owned by NewRiver Retail, which purchased the site from Marston’s pub group in December 2013; it is one of 54 such pubs being redeveloped by the Co-op.

A spokesman for NewRiver said a detailed transport assessment had “fully considered the effects” and they would be working closely with the highway authority to ensure there are “no risks to road safety".

He added: “Well over half of trips to convenience stores of this kind are by foot and the principal catchment area for customers is typically within a 500m radius of the site.”

He said the building was in “a very poor state of repair”, adding: “The new building has been carefully designed with the incorporation of a tower so that it retains its landmark feature.”