PLANS to build a block of flats at a site currently occupied by a garage are set to be refused by planning officers.

 

The DWP Housing Partnership - formerly known as Dave Wells Properties when the planning application was submitted - had sought permission to demolish the Car-Link used cars dealership at Bridle Crescent replacing it with a two-storey apartment block of 18 units.

 

But the Iford roundabout block was met with fierce objection from residents. Nearly 70 were submitted to Bournemouth Borough Council.

 

A spokesman for the council said the officer's recommendation is to refuse the proposal in line with "the weight of objections received".

 

Resident Stu Hirst said that the plans indicated "over development" and a "lack of parking for the total number of dwellings, detrimental to highway safety with increased traffic levels at peak times", and "overshadowing".

 

"An application to convert the existing commercial property into flats has been rejected at appeal several times in the past," he wrote. "The same issues are present in the recently submitted plans."

 

Peter Perrin, another resident, said he was "completely opposed to the construction".

 

He wrote: "The main Christchurch Road is unable to cope with the existing traffic flow which is a nightmare already. This block of flats would increase the volume of traffic and also cause problems entering and exiting the road, including the pub opposite, Iford roundabout and the traffic flow along Barrack Road."

 

Had the plans been permitted the development would have included the demolition of Car-Link used cars dealership.

 

Its owner Alan Fisher told the Daily in January that their landlord - DWP - had submitted the plans but the application would have no effect on their business as the development would only go ahead once their lease had expired.

 

Steve Wells from DWP Housing Partnership said: “We have not received the official paperwork about the rejection of our plans for Christchurch Road and until we see the reasons we are unable to comment further.”

 

Ward councillor Lawrence Williams told the Daily Echo at the time that residents had been very "animated" about the proposal and did not want to see the area built upwards.