DEVELOPERS have submitted plans to demolish two shops in Oakdale and build a new retail block with nearly 30 flats aimed at first-time buyers.

The site for the proposed development is along Wimborne Road. The building earmarked for demolition currently houses a One Stop convenience store and a Motabitz shop.

The planned building would be a part three and part four-storey building, with a single-storey section at the rear.

On the ground floor would be two retail units to replace the existing ones, and over the upper three floors would be 27 flats aimed at first-time buyers and people seeking to purchase properties at the lower end of the market.

The car park that is currently situated behind the building would be reconfigured to provide 25 unallocated spaces, shared between the flats and customers of the new shops.

Mars Investments Ltd has submitted the planning application, but Pure Town Planning has prepared a design and access statement on the developer’s behalf.

Planning consultant Chris Miell said Poole council planning officers had not objected to the demolition of the existing building “because it is of little architectural merit”.

“Officers suggested that there should be a physical gap between the block and the parade of shops to provide visual separation between the historic shopping parade and new scheme,” he said.

He added the proposed flats had been designed to reflect the requirements of first-time buyers, with one-bedroom units ranging from 36.9 sqm to 47.2 sqm, and two-bedroom units ranging from 52.5 sqm to 62 sqm.

“To ensure that the development provides a high standard of living for future occupants, all of the units have been laid in an efficient manner, with the internal layout of the units featuring minimal amounts of ‘dead space’ such as corridors and poorly shaped rooms.

“Overall it is considered that the proposed scheme has created a carefully balanced and attractive development which respects the character of the area. The proposal represents a sensitive form of development which sits comfortably within the street scene.”

He added: “The proposed development has been intentionally designed to be larger than the neighbouring shopping parade.

“The development would provide a ‘bookend’ feature at the end of the existing shopping parade.”