DEVELOPERS are hoping to make it third time lucky with plans to demolish two bungalows and replace them with more homes at a site in East Dorset.

An application has been submitted to clear the site of 135 and 137 Christchurch Road, West Parley and build five houses and further four apartments in a single block.

In 2015, the first application to build 12 dwellings from Iris Homes Ltd was turned down by East Dorset District Council and a subsequent appeal was dismissed.

The following year a reduced scheme for 10 properties from the same developer was again rejected by both the council and on appeal.

Now applicants Harbourwood Homes Ltd are seeking to build the development featuring nine homes.

A statement submitted on behalf of the applicants by Chapman Lily Planning Limited says: "From an economic perspective, the proposals will make an efficient use of this highly accessible site, supporting the local economy through the delivery of new family homes within Ferndown.

"From a social perspective, the proposals will provide new homes, which are of an appropriate design and will respond well to the character of the area, and shall be accessible to local services

"From an environmental perspective, the proposals shall preserve the character and appearance of the area, using natural resources, in this case land, efficiently to create additional housing within the plan area in an accessible location."

If approved, the two bungalows currently on the site will be demolished and one four-bed, two three-bed and two two-bed houses, and a block of four two-bed flats will be built.

Last year Harbourwood Homes Ltd withdrew an application to replace two dwellings with five homes at the neighbouring site of 129 and 131 Christchurch Road.