PLANS to build a large affordable housing complex at Poole’s former Gravel Hill police station has been given the go-ahead.

At a meeting on Tuesday night (nov15) Borough of Poole councillors approved plans to spend nearly £12million to build the 62 flats.

The proposal, which will see the flats built across three blocks of up to four storeys, was approved despite objections from dozens of nearby residents.

Concerns were raised about whether this kind of development would lead to an increase of crime and disorder in the area and whether the height of the building would impede on the privacy of nearby residents.

However at Tuesday's meeting the council approved a budget of £11.83million for the project.

A report to council about the scheme said the project would be 70 per cent funded by the council's Housing Revenue Account reserves, while the other 30 per cent would come from retained 'right to buy' receipts.

The report states that the project aims to fill a gap for much needed affordable housing in Poole "as the current levels of housing stock cannot meet the levels of people who are eligible for it and need it".

A joint project between Borough of Poole (BOP) and Poole Housing Partnership (PHP), it will provide more than 60 affordable one and two-bedroomed flats at the Canford Heath Road site - including six flats for young people with severe mental and physical impairment.

There would also be 87 allocated car parking spaces on the site - which abuts Montacute Special School.

A proportion of the flats will be made available on the rent to buy scheme, meaning some residents will have the opportunity to purchase their property after five years.

Cllr Karen Rampton, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and community services, said: "Enabling the development of affordable housing in Poole is a top priority for the council and this scheme will help provide 62 urgently needed properties."