PLANS to demolish a close of five homes and build a block of flats have been rejected by council officers.

The scheme by Fortitudo Property, spearheaded by developer Richard Carr, was to see a block of 40 flats constructed at The Green, off Branksome Hill Road in Bournemouth, along with underground parking for 43 cars.

Nearly 150 objections were submitted by residents, backed by ward councillors Andrew Morgan and Philip Broadhead, who called the application in for discussion by the planning board should it be recommended for approval.

However, in their report, officers said: "It is considered that, by reason of the excessive scale, poor layout, and inappropriate design, the proposed block of flats would result in an

incongruous and dominating form of development that would not preserve or enhance the designated Meyrick Park & Talbot Woods Conservation Area and would be harmful to its significance."

Officers said the proposed block, also criticised by Bournemouth Civic Society and the Talbot and Branksome Woods Residents Association, had a "utilitarian appearance" which was "commercial rather than domestic".

Resident Carole Cantwell, of the newly formed Friends of Branksome Hill Road group, said members were "thrilled" at the result.

"We were very much for all the points made by the planning officer, we really thought his report was tip top, and our councillors backed us all the way," she said.

"The friends would just like to thank everybody for the immense response to such an ugly proposed development in such a lovely wooded area.

"We are under no illusions, there will no doubt be a re-application soon, and we have heard that through the grapevine.

"This is a very emotional issue for the area and it will not lose momentum however many applications are put in."

The plans, for 28 two-bedroom and 12 three-bedroom units within a four storey block, were originally submitted as two separate blocks, but this was revised after advice was received from officers.

Defending the plans, Mr Carr told the Daily Echo they would help satisfy a "shortage of housing" in Bournemouth and a demand for smaller homes in the Talbot Woods area so people living there could downsize.