PLANS to demolish “crumbling” and “neglected” listed buildings in Poole’s Old Town and replace them with flats and a restaurant have been submitted to the council.

The scheme relates to 13-15 High Street, which includes F Dibbens & Sons, the former fruiterer and greengrocer, and the warehouses and outbuildings behind it. Adjacent to the shop was a mid-Victorian town house, but it was demolished in 1976 when it became dangerous and unstable.

Applicant Hignell Baker Investments is seeking outline planning permission for 38 flats and a restaurant at the site, which is within the Town Centre Heritage Conservation Area.

The existing buildings, which date from the mid to late 19th century, are locally listed for their architectural interest and archaeological potential. If the plans are given the go-ahead and the buildings are demolished, the facades will be retained.

The new development would feature a building of up to three storeys facing the High Street, with a restaurant on the ground floor and apartments above.

The second proposed apartment block would occupy the majority of the site. Set back from the High Street, the warehouse-style building would be staggered between four and six storeys.

There would be 38 car parking spaces on site, of which two would be disabled spaces. There would also be two secure bicycle storage facilities for a total of 46 bikes.

On behalf of the applicant, property developers Intelligent Land said the scheme had been inspired by the maritime heritage of Poole.

“After decades of under investment and poor maintenance to property at the site, the buildings are crumbling due to neglect. The site offers great potential as a flagship development for Poole Old Town. The new investment will signal to other potential investors that the area has turned a corner after the impacts of the recession, and is open for business.”

Chair of Poole Quays Forum, Bill Constance, said while he supported a development on the historic site, it would need to be of “high quality”.

However, he expressed concerns over the scale of the development.

“We think they’ve packed an awful lot into the site, which may be of detriment to the conservation area.

“We are continuing to discuss the details of the development with the design team,” he added.

The application also includes proposals to provide a pedestrian route to the High Street from Strand Street, a historic thoroughfare which has since been lost.

As part of the Old Town conservation area, the site is potentially of high archaeological importance, with possible medieval shoreline remains.

Recognising this, the applicant has stated that prior to any development taking place an archaeological investigation should take place.