DEVELOPERS look set to unveil plans for luxury flats at the Salterns Hotel site in Poole - months after a ''Trojan Horse" application for a replacement hotel was approved.

Residents of the nearby Salterns Point apartment blocks were up in arms at the proposal to replace the Salterns Way hotel with a 22-suite hotel and conference facility, complete with gymnasium, spa and restaurants. The application was approved at the end of last year, but now it seems the developers are setting their sights on luxury flats instead.

Objectors to the initial plans raised suspicions over the extravagant size of the hotel bedroom suites. One said were "no longer rooms, but the size of three bedroom flats. Another added: "In the future these hotel suites might possibly be used as apartments."

At the December meeting when the application for outline planning permission was approved a member stated that he had "concerns over it being a “Trojan horse” application but did not feel strongly enough to vote against the recommendation."

Now neighbouring properties have received letters advising them of new plans in the offing - for luxury apartments.

A resident, who asked not to be named, showed the letters to the Echo, including one from Jacob Carr Homes Ltd, a vehicle owned by Richard Carr's eldest son’s trust, which employs development specialist Richard.

The letter says they are 'development consultants' to the owners, and states: "We are planning to move the hotel to the end of the marina and create further underground parking," and adds: "The building that we achieved planning for last year will become new luxury apartments with its own underground parking." It fails to mention of the need for planning permission.

Another letter from pure town planning, does advise residents that "we are aiming to prepare and submit a formal planning application for this proposal."

Cllr Philip Eades who was chairman of the planning committee in December said he was "not at all surprised", but added: "That building can only be a hotel. There is not going to be residential flats on that site unless it gets planning permission."

He said any new application would be dealt with in the normal way, adding: "It might leave a sour taste in the mouth but they haven't done anything wrong. It is perfectly legal to apply for planning permission for whatever they want - it doesn't mean it is going to be approved."