PLANS to transform a car dealership in Iford into a block of flats have been rejected because the properties would provide "poor living conditions".

The scheme, which would have seen a three-storey block of 18 flats built on the site of Car-Link in Christchurch Road, was submitted to Bournemouth council by the DWP Housing Partnership, formerly known as Dave Wells’ Properties.

However, officers who turned down the application said the flats would provide "substandard living space".

As reported in the Daily Echo, residents had voiced concerns over the scheme, with many warning of potential parking problems.

Others said the proposed block's appearance was "not good to look at".

A similar, larger scheme for 20 flats was rejected in 2009 on the basis it would overwhelm the neighbouring houses.

The revised proposal included 13 one-bedroom flats and five two-bedroom properties with a glazed facade to "create a landmark entrance to Bournemouth from Christchurch".

The block would "positively contribute to the street scene", according to the application.

However, Richard Cable of the council's planning department said he was doubtful that the scheme complied with necessary policies.

In a report, Mr Cable said all but one of the flats failed to satisfy the minimum requirement for 'good quality of living environment'.

"The proposed layout would result in a substantively substandard living environment for the future occupiers indicating an over-intensive form of development," he said.

Mr Cable also said DWP "did not undertake pre-application advice".

"The revised scheme did not fully satisfy the tests set out in the planning framework," he said.

"The development would not be in accordance with the Development Plan, would materially harm the character or appearance of the area [and] would have an adverse impact on residential amenity."

The application received 69 official objections from the public, including a seven-page petition calling for it to be rejected,

Residents have complained that the whole area is already overcrowded and has little parking space.

Raymond Rigler, 87, said: "We don't want them. It doesn't go with the road."

Ward councillor Lawrence Williams said residents were very "animated" about the proposal and did not want to see the area built upwards.