AN ENTIRE block of buildings in Boscombe is being demolished and redeveloped in a project worth £4.5million.

DWP Housing Partnership, Dorset’s biggest private landlord, says the work will transform a stretch of Christchurch Road.

The existing buildings will be replaced by flats exclusively for the over-50s.

The company, formerly Dave Wells Properties, is planning six two-bedroom apartments, 45 one-bedroom apartments and eight shop units in the new four-storey, brick-built block.

South Coast Demolition is currently dismantling the existing buildings brick-by-brick before Glossbrook Builders will begins the new development.

Work is due to be completed in the autumn of next year and the company says it transform the area opposite the entrance to the Woodland Walk.

The site is at 752-778 Christchurch Road.

Steve Wells, who heads DWP Housing Partnership, said: “We have owned this block for some years.

“It had been developed in an ad hoc way, which meant there was a poor use of space.

“We wanted to start again and so we applied for permission to demolish and rebuild, and our plans were approved.

“We are working alongside the Boscombe Regeneration Project and will continue to build new, attractive homes and upgrade our existing housing stock.

“The Christchurch Road site is on the major arterial route into Boscombe from the Pokesdown end and when completed it will be far more attractive.

“Obviously we will keep any disruption to a minimum.

“We will be reserving the apartments for over-50s and are in negotiation with the local authority to see if they can assist us in finding suitable tenants.”

DWP Housing Partnership says it has invested more than £20m in new developments over the past five years.