PLANS have been submitted to demolish part of a commercial terrace in Highcliffe and build housing and a large commercial unit on the site.

The proposals for 359 to 375 Lymington Road have been submitted to Christchurch Borough Council by Ringwood-based Penrose Homes Ltd.

At present the buildings up to number 371 feature The Creative Hub, which includes independent music artist facility HP Music, and a large unoccupied unit.

If approved the scheme will clear these buildings from the site and replace them with a ground floor commercial unit, six one-bedroom flats.

The plans will also see the first floor of the Baytree Residential Letting estate agents and New Image hair salon premises converted into a two bed-flat. Both commercial units will be retained.

At the rear of the site Penrose Homes are also hoping to erect a pair of adjoining two-bedroom houses.

A statement submitted on behalf of the applicants by Pure Town Planning says: "It is considered that the proposals adequately reflect the current housing needs of the Borough and specifically this location.

"It has been shown that the proposal is of good design which enhances the street scene and respects amenity.

"It is considered that the proposed development would positively contribute to the neighbourhood and achieve a sustainable community by providing an appropriate tenure for first time buyers in the area.

"As such, there would appear to be no other development plan policies directly applicable to this proposal. It is therefore considered that the proposal complies with the development plan."

The proposed building's frontage is two and half storeys high, with the ground floor broken up by three gables.

Pure Town Planning says the development will provide a "high quality design solution" drawing inspiration from the area's Edwardian history.

The statement adds: "The opportunity of ‘planning gain’ for this proposal is the unique size of the site. It is not uncommon for there to be multiple landowners both due to the size and location of the site.

"Therefore, this is a unique opportunity for a substantial improvement to the Highcliffe high street both in terms of appearance and the amount of residential development."

Responses to the proposals can be made to Christchurch Borough Council up until May 10.