PLANS have been unveiled to redevelop the Southcote Road bus depot in Bournemouth.

Go Ahead group have lodged an application for the site to build new workshop and office facilities as well as bus parking.

The site is currently used by Excelsior Coaches and Morebus. The operating group bought Excelsior Coaches in 2016.

Go South Coast managing director, Andrew Wickham, said: "We have submitted an application to develop our bus depot in Southcote Road.

"The location is used by our Excelsior Coaches and Morebus operators and we are committed to retaining this base in Bournemouth.

"With this in mind, we plan to demolish the existing structures, remove portable buildings and construct a new purpose-built depot here at the same location - which will also include a five bay workshop as well as new offices and rest areas for my colleagues.

"The investment includes new spill-free fuelling equipment and a new bus wash plant.

"Following on from our 41 new low emission buses for services m1/m2, this is a further significant investment in Bournemouth and Poole, made entirely by us."

The site will be used for the day to day running of the bus fleet, as well as the maintenance of operational vehicles such as refuelling, washing and refuse area.

New building includes office space for engineering, scheduling and customer service as well as HR, finance, management and communications.

There will also be a travel shop, locker room and parking for 80 buses at night. Five workshop spaces will also be included.

The height of the new building will be lower than the existing, and will allow double decker buses to enter.

Morebus recently unveiled a new fleet of buses following a £7.2m investment. It is part of a bid to get more commuters ditching their cars in favour of bus travel.

Comments are open on the application until May 8.