PLANS to demolish a large building near Sandbanks and build a block of flats each valued at more than £2million have been refused.

The plans, lodged in 2022, would have seen the White House at 326 Sandbanks Road replaced by the block of waterfront flats.

Had plans been approved, there would have been two seven-bedroom flats and five four-bedroom flats.

A viability review report submitted by DVS Property Specialists at the end of 2023 estimated the value of the flats to be between £2,350,000 for the cheapest, and £4,500,000 for the most expensive.

This application followed the refusal of similar plans in 2022, after six amendments were made to the scheme that was originally lodged in 2017.

Bournemouth Echo:

The new proposals removed windows in the initial plans that were at risk of overlooking neighbouring residents, while the scale of the top floor was reduced.

A design and access statement submitted by Pure Town Planning and Arc Architecture said the proposed building would fit comfortably in the streetscene and would provide ‘a high standard of living for future occupants’.

However, the scheme was met with 12 objections and it has now been refused by BCP Council planning officers.

In a case officer’s report, the officer said: “Due to the proposed appearance, bulk, massing, height and siting on the site, the proposed scheme would be incongruous to the character of this part of the Poole harbour shoreline and the Sandbanks Road streetscene.”

The report also said that the siting, bulk and massing of the proposed building ‘would appear overbearing’ and would harm the ‘residential amenity’ neighbours ‘by reason of overlooking and loss of outlook’.

It added: “The scheme has been found to be viable in respect of making a contribution towards the provision of affordable housing.

“The Applicant has challenged these findings but the district valuers office maintains their conclusions on the information provided by the applicant in respect of viability.

“As such the scheme fails to make any provision, on-site or an in lieu financial contribution towards affordable housing for which there is a significant need within the administrative area of BCP Council, and as such would not constitute sustainable development.”