PLANS for an “iconic” building in an “important, yet neglected, part of Poole” have been put before the council.

The site of the proposed development is the Volvo Penta Golden Arrow Marine centre in West Quay Road. Businessman Richard Carr’s Fortitudo company has submitted a planning application for a part 11-storey building comprising 78 flats and ‘flexible’, ground floor units. Discussions are being held with the Sea Scout group about their potential occupancy of one of the units.

A swathe of development is planned along West Quay Road, with an eyesore building complex due to be demolished in the summer in preparation for 291 flats. Further along the road, towards the approach to Poole Bridge, developers are planning to build 562 homes, as reported in the Daily Echo on Saturday.

Steve Tapscott, of Chapman Lily Planning, which has prepared a design and access statement on behalf of Fortitudo, said the proposed development would enhance the regeneration area, “which is in clear need of improvement and investment”, and “kick-start the improvement of this important, yet neglected, part of Poole.”

Planning permission was granted for a similar scheme in 2017 – a part nine, part five-storey building comprising 56 flats and commercial units.

However, Fortitudo says their scheme is a more “cost-effective solution” and the consented scheme “fails to realise the site’s full potential”.

“The replacement building will provide a modern, fit-for-purpose development designed to serve as a landmark at this important part of Poole,” Mr Tapscott said.

“Its mixture of curves and straight lines takes influences from buildings found elsewhere in the vicinity, while the ‘lattice’ effect incorporated into the exterior of the main block creates a distinctive, iconic building, instantly recognisable as part of this newly revitalised area of Poole.”

As well as an additional two storeys in height, the proposed new development would have a different parking arrangement, with spaces for 44 cars arranged over the first three levels of the building and served by car lifts. In addition to the building, a new public slipway is proposed and a waterfront cycle/pedestrian path.

“This path will link up with other sites along the waterfront as other parcels of land are developed, thus ensuring a contiguous new public right of way,” Mr Tapscott said.

He added: “In common with the previously approved scheme, public access along Whittles Way will be maintained, facilitating access to a new quayside walkway and slipway.”