DEVELOPER Richard Carr has submitted a second bid to demolish five houses and build a “juggernaut” block of flats.

The previous scheme for 40 flats in a four storey block at The Green, Branksome Hill Road, Bournemouth, was refused by town planning officers who criticised its “excessive scale, poor layout, and inappropriate design”.

But the revised plans comprise 50 flats in a five storey block, provoking ward councillor Andrew Morgan to describe the submission as “extraordinary” and “insensitive to the quite unprecedented level of local objection”.

Mr Carr, representing applicant Fortitudo Ltd, told the Daily Echo the new scheme “satisfies all the refusal reasons”, and that while there was an additional storey the building was no taller and “exactly the same as it was before”.

He said concerns over the scale were due to people misinterpreting the architect’s drawings.

“The only issue is they said it was not a flat character area, despite there being flats either side and directly opposite,” he said.

“With the greatest of respect to objectors, there is a demand for luxury apartments in Talbot Woods. Each of the four bedroom homes there now only has two people in it.”

Council officers had criticised the height of individual storeys, and these have now been reduced.

At least 150 objections were filed by residents against the previous plans.

Branksome Hill Road resident Barry Morley, 72, said: “It is absolutely unbelievable.

“I can’t believe that five perfectly good family homes are going to be knocked down to put up this huge juggernaut of a block of flats that is getting even bigger. We are being ridden over roughshod.”

Cllr Morgan said: “I can’t understand why the applicant has come back with an even bigger scheme.

“There are no circumstances in which I would support the demolition of five lovely family homes in Bournemouth.

“I would find it extraordinary if it isn’t turned down. It is a source of major worry for many people in Talbot Woods.”

Mr Carr said that if the application was again refused there would be an appeal.