THIS is the vision for a major £70million development which would transform a landmark site alongside Poole's iconic Twin Sails Bridge.

The application for 296 flats as well as shops, a waterside restaurant, underground parking and a new landscaped quayside walkway at West Quay Marina is set to be considered by Borough of Poole this summer.

Stretching up to 11 storeys in parts it would be configured around a central public courtyard, with pedestrian access right through from West Quay Road to the waterfront via a 'cut out' beneath the quayside elevation.

The area, which was originally a timber yard and now houses industrial units, abuts the Poole-side entryway to the Twin Sails Bridge and is one of the most visually prominent development sites in the town.

It has been earmarked for regeneration for a number of years and in 2010 planning approval for a large mixed use scheme of 105 flats, offices, shops and a 182 hotel was granted - but has since lapsed.

This latest scheme designed by Calderpeel Architects for developers West Quay Developments (Poole) Ltd has emerged following a lengthy period of consultation with the council and residents, including the Poole Quay Forum (PQF), a 220-member community group which is creating Neighbourhood Plan to guide the future development of the area.

But PQF has consistently voiced objections regarding the scale, mass and height of the proposal. It is also concerned about the central courtyard being in shadow and the pedestrian walkway underneath part of the building could be "a dark and forbidding place".

In a letter to planners PQF chairman Bill Constance said whilst they recognise "the strides the applicant has made in improving the scheme from the original proposals presented", they couldn't support the plan due to its height and density.

Poole Town ward councillor Mark Howell went further and said the site was "critical in terms of regeneration" but failed to provide a "safe and attractive" pedestrian link between the town and the Hamworthy regeneration site. He added that, if approved, it would "seriously compromise the Borough's ability to deliver successful regeneration".

Barry Holmes from MMC, who is a spokesman for the developer, said: “The development at West Quay Marina is the culmination of nine years of work.

"We have engaged with various stakeholders extensively to prepare a scheme that represents an investment value of over £70 million in Poole.

"The design has evolved to reflect the town's rich heritage whilst looking forward to the future. Set in the wider context of the comprehensive regeneration of the waterfront from the Old Quay to the RNLI.”