RESIDENTS have voiced their disappointment at the proposals to develop the Cliff End Hotel.

Plans for the Manor Road site, which has been derelict for 15 years, were on show yesterday.

The building has had various issues since the hotel closed, including a fire in 2012.

The plans outline a 65-apartment assisted living scheme, which includes a sky garden.

Valerie Pound, of Keverstone Court, said: "I think it is absolutely horrible.

"It is totally out of keeping with the conservation area and looks like an office block."

"We expected something similar to the Exton Gardens site on Knyveton Road.

"I'm so disappointed in what they have come up with."

Rod Pound added: "The principal of the development is going the right way, but the elevations are absolutely out of keeping with the area."

Fellow resident, Archie Watters, said: "The fact that it is being done is the most important thing. I have been waiting so long for it to be done.

"The design of the building does lack character.

"It's crucial they look at the landscape around the building."

David Reed, of Keverstone Court, provided a rare positive assessment.

"We like the look of it and it has been well thought out. There are clear advantages to living on the site," Mr Reed said.

Despite some residents having strong reservations about the proposals, the hotel's owners Gervis Meyrick Estate welcomed the responses.

Sarah Hordern of the Gervis Meyrick Estate said: "For the estate the public response is really important.

"Unlike a lot of developers we are part of Bournemouth and these people are our neighbours.

"From the people I've spoken to it's been really positive.

"They are very excited about the thought which has gone into the building, the way it sits in the landscape opening those views through to the gardens and delighted to see that progress has been made."

"This building has to work for us in the future, but also for the neighbours.

"It's a very important building for the East Cliff and hopefully this can revitalise that."

Ms Hordern confirmed the estate would review the feedback with a target of submitting an application to the council before the turn of the year.

She added, once permission was gained, demolishing the existing building would be the estate's top priority.

"The building has had its challenges and troubles," Ms Hordern said.

"Our ideal would be to demolish the existing building as quickly as we can once we have consent. There's a technicality around that so we will need some help from the council to demolish.

"We will take the building out to market and find a developer and get it built."

Architect for the project Matt White, of MATT Architecture, said: "The point here for me was to design a building which I would be happy to grow old in. I design for other people, but I want the sense of involvement with it.

"I think it is fair to say fortunately we are all able to remain more active for longer.

"The people getting old now are people who went to the moon and came up with Woodstock and Glastonbury.

"I'm not designing it for Victorians, I'm designing it for people who will be living here for five years time and for probably a lot longer than occupants of assisted living schemes in the past."