PLANS to build two blocks of almost 100 flats at the former James Bros site in Hamworthy will come before Poole's planning committee next week.

The proposals - spearheaded by property developer Richard Carr's company Fortitudo - would see 42 one-bed and 54 two-bed flats built across two blocks at the former steelworks.

The first block of 51 flats would reach 10 storeys high.

Planning officers have recommended the development for refusal.

Proposals to build five blocks comprising 93 flats were approved in 2008. The scheme was partially implemented with the construction of Compass Point North to the north of the site.

The remaining land, which fronts Station Road, currently stands vacant.

Further developments to the site were granted by councillors in 2011, 2012 and 2016.

Three blocks, as yet unbuilt, were granted as part of the 2008 application. Two of these blocks containing a total of 44 flats are due to be built on the southern part of the site. Mr Carr hopes to develop this part of the land.

However, in an agenda sent to members of the planning committee ahead of the meeting on September 7, officers say they are concerned about the height of 'block A', which would stand three storeys, or 9.5 metres, taller than any previously approved blocks.

"The buildings are in close proximity to the Hamworthy shoreline with no intervening buildings to screen it, so that one large, tall mass of building would dominate the waterline and Hamworthy beach area, to a harmful degree," the officers wrote.

"Such prominence so close to the shoreline would dominate both the street scene of Station Road and important views from Hamworthy Park."

Developers have also not given a "suitable response" to integrating with lower-scale neighbouring buildings, officers say.

"The proposal presents an unacceptable scale, mass and height of building. In this way it would result in intrusive and materially harmful views from the town and Hamworthy," the authors write.

"The proposal would conflict with the environmental role by virtue of its impacts upon the immediate and wider character and for this reason it would not constitute sustainable development."

Brett Spiller, of agents Chapman Lily Planning, said: “The surrounding area is undergoing significant change, with new development in construction on part of the former Pilkington Tiles site and proposals coming forward for the development of the adjoining regeneration area.”

He said the proposal would “revitalise a stalled brownfield town centre site to deliver much-needed homes in a highly accessible location”.

The planning meeting will take place at the Civic Centre at 1pm.