A THREE-star Poole hotel could be demolished to make way for 27 new affordable flats under plans submitted to Borough of Poole.

The proposal is to demolish almost all of Arndale Court Hotel at 60-66 Wimborne Road and replace it with a three storey apartment block comprising 25 two-bed flats and two one-bed homes.

The hotel, which according to the planing documents is set to close in November this year, was taken on by the current owners in 1989. With the purchase of neighbouring buildings, it was expanded from 16 bedrooms to the current 39 bed hotel.

Described as a businessman's hotel, the applicants state that it survived for a year mainly on RNLI and Barclays custom - but Barclays has "virtually no hotel bed requirements and the RNLI have their own 60 bedroom hotel."

Several new hotels have also been developed in the area including the 145 bedroom Premiere Inn Holes Bay.

The hotel was placed on the market in 2013 for £1.6million but failed to sell.

The site already has planning consent for 27 flats comprising of 21 residential flats and six holiday flats.

The latest plans are for 100 per cent affordable hallow for vehicular access off Denmark Lane, to the rear of the site, and 22 parking spaces.

Number 60 Wimborne Road - a semi detached property which contains eight ensuite bedrooms - is not included in the application and would be retained as a small B&B hotel.