A DEVELOPER'S proposal to build flats on land designated for office space got a frosty reception from councillors.

In November 2015 Watkin Jones Group received planning permission to build a mixture of student accommodation, teaching space, a hotel and offices on three sites in the Lansdowne area of Bournemouth.

Construction is well under way on two sites, 13-19 Oxford Road and 24 Christchurch Road, which include more than 924 student flats.

However the developer claims to have hit a snag on the third site - cleared land adjacent to 35 Holdenhurst Road, or Telecom House - where it has permission to build a 12 storey block with 12,800 square metres of office space.

Addressing the planning board in a pre-application hearing, Ian Smith, the firm's planning director, said: "Following extensive and continued marketing since July 2015, the demand for this brand new, high grade, shall we say 'traditional' large floor space office space that was expected by the council, our agents Goadsby and ourself two years ago is simply not there.

"There was an excitement shared by all parties two years ago that this first new grade A space to be delivered in the town for some 30 years would attract national blue chip companies, or those already in the regional market wanting high quality new accommodation.

"The expectation was that it would fly off the shelves. This has not been the case."

Mr Smith said the company wished to get change of use permission to build flats in the building, transforming it into a 'live/work' centre for the town's "fantastic, growing digital interests", inspired by similar developments in London.

An initial proposal shown to the board would see four extra storeys added to the block, with a mix of one, two and three bed flats alongside communal work areas.

However, councillors were sceptical about the plans.

Addressing the board, Cllr Mike Green said: "I am disappointed but not surprised that we are having this pre-application coming forward now.

"Two years ago they expected the teaching facilities and office space to fly off the shelves, that is exactly what they told us.

"As ward members we were rather less convinced, and what we really feared, was that by coming forward with a three site development with a huge amount of student accommodation, to be balanced out with the pluses of office accommodation and teaching facilities - without those pluses there is no way that it would have got permission.

"It was in no way in line with the council's ambitions for the Lansdowne."

Board chairman David Kelsey said he was "incredibly disappointed" by the bid and that there would be "very close scrutiny" should the firm put in its application.

"It is a total change from what we wanted, and from what you assured us and promised us as wonderful developers you were going to provide for the town.

"So I think you can go from here today knowing that we are not happy with your decision."