THE demolition of a row of large houses in Westbourne will go ahead next month.

Bournemouth council has major plans for the site which includes land between 129-139 Princess Road and 8-14 in the adjacent Prince of Wales Road.

These include blocks of one, two and three bedroom flats, "with a particular focus on affordable housing provision", as well as a 20-room family hostel with communal facilities.

The demolition of the buildings at 133, 135, 137 and 139 Princess Road has been approved to go ahead in September, although the full redevelopment may not be undertaken for some time

A report by planning officer Tom Hubbard states: "Work will be undertaken in September 2018, and redevelopment is likely within the next one to three years.

"Demolition is requested to secure the site rather than leave empty buildings liable to vandalism and anti-social behaviour, as is already occurring.

"The buildings are also stated to be in a poor state of repair and structurally unsound in places."

All four buildings will be completely demolished with the sites left with a gravel surface surrounded by security fencing. The borough will also have to ensure protected trees on site are undamaged.

The work is to take place between 8.30am and 5pm on weekdays.

Bournemouth council plans to hold a public consultation on the wider scheme in the Autumn and to see the planning application submitted in December.

Councillor Robert Lawton, cabinet member for housing, told the Echo the scheme was "a fantastic opportunity to provide much-needed homes of mixed tenure in the borough".

“Designs for what will go on the site are under way, with the architect now appointed, and will be subject to a planning application.”

Tender documentation prepared by the council earlier this year states that work must be completed by 2022.

It states that the flats will include affordable rental, shared ownership and private rental properties, and that the hostel may be designed for easy conversion into flats in future.