PLANS to demolish a garage to make way for a block of flats have sparked concerns with residents over potential parking problems and the proposed block's appearance.

Dave Wells Properties has filed proposals to build a three-storey block of 18 flats at Bridle Crescent off the Iford roundabout - currently the home of the Car-Link used cars dealership.

Residents say the area - which is almost entirely made up of two-storey traditional residential homes - is not the place for the block which would dominate the landscape.

They have also cited concerns that an increase in homes would result in a surge of vehicular traffic for the area.

There will be 16 off-street parking spaces according to the new plans.

A similar but larger scheme for 20 flats was rejected in 2009 on the basis it would overwhelm the neighbouring houses.

The revised proposal includes 13 one-bedroom flats and five two-bedroom with a glazed facade to "create a landmark entrance to Bournemouth from Christchurch and will positively contribute to the street scene".

Retired Jeffrey Brand, 64, said: "We have spoken to the garage about this and we're going to have a look at the plans. It appears to me that the outside of it doesn't seem too intrusive but we need to see how the plans go.

"As long as the building is done looking nice then it won't be too bad but I'd rather things were left as they are. It's got to look good.

"We're affected more than anybody," he added. Mr Brand lives next door to the garage.

"I'd rather they weren't built. The garage is as good as gold which suits us and any disruption to that isn't really welcome.

"But if they have to do it let's hope it's done in a conservative way."

Neighbour Mr Young, who is in his 80s, told the Daily Echo: "It's totally out of keeping with the area.

"It will cause problems in this street as there are yellow lines and only five spaces. This proposal is for 18 flats and although there is some provision for parking I'm not sure about the scale of it all.

"We really don't know what the end result would be."

Mr Young said he was also concerned about the plans setting a precedent for other nearby plots that could accommodate similar-sized blocks.

"People will be looking straight across the rear of people's houses," he said.

Raymond Rigler, 87, also retired, said: "We don't want them. It doesn't go with the road.

"I don't think it will be very good. I don't think anybody wants them."

Ward councillor Lawrence Williams told the Daily Echo the application had received 22 objections - a sufficient number to warrant the application going before the planning committee should planning officers recommend the application be approved.

He said residents were very "animated" about the proposal and did not want to see the area built upwards.