DEVELOPERS have submitted plans to demolish Poole Pottery’s landmark store and build 95 flats and new retail space.

The scheme, which has been revised since a public consultation was held in April, also incorporates the historical Swan Inn pub. The locally listed building would be retained, with the ground floor potentially used as an educational facility, themed around its historic links to Poole Pottery.

Developer Richard Carr, chief executive of Fortitudo, said the scheme would “revitalise” Poole Quay by bringing new businesses and residents to the area.

The original plans involved just 82 flats, but the proposals submitted to the council include an extra 14 homes, with the overall development raised in height by one storey.

The seven-storey building proposed also features bigger ground floor retail space than previously planned to “ensure that the scheme is viable and deliverable”.

Chapman Lily Planning, which has created a design and access statement on behalf of Fortitudo, said the scheme made “optimal use of this brownfield site whilst paying full regard to its constraints”.

They added a “high quality development” would be delivered that has been “shaped by community engagement”.

Mr Carr said the design of the building is inspired by the historic warehouse buildings along the quay. He described the current Poole Pottery site as “an eyesore”.

Undercroft parking with 57 unallocated spaces is proposed for the development, which falls short of the council’s adopted parking standards.

John Green, crime prevention and design advisor, said the amount of parking spaces was “a potential source of problems”.

“When the Borough of Poole policy would expect 85 parking spaces, I suggest that there will need to be some very stringent and enforceable conditions to force 38 units to be car free units. Disputes over car parking are a regular source of animosity.”

However, John Lejeune, of Studio Poole in neighbouring Dolphin Quays, said: “We very much look forward to this development of housing and a new retail area.”

“We hope that we can work with the new freeholders to bring a larger presence of Poole Pottery back to the quay.”

Poole Pottery closed its visitor centre and studio in October 2017 and has not been able to find a suitable alternative premises in the area.

The site has been identified by the council in its emerging Poole Local Plan as being suitable for redevelopment to provide around 50 homes and a ground floor use that “reflects the historic use of the site as Poole Pottery.”

Fans of the iconic brand have always hoped it would continue to have a presence in the local area, and Poole Museum has been acquiring important ceramics from the Poole Pottery collection so that they can be seen by the public.