A SCHEME to build a three storey block of flats in Pokesdown has been dubbed an "outrage" against "civilized building" by the town's civic society.

Applicant European Emerging Markets Ltd is seeking outline planning permission to demolish the existing building at 3 Wickham Road and construct a block of 10 flats.

The application claims the building there at present, empty since December 2015 but previously used for storage by Dorset Nursing Supplies Co, is "in a poor state of repair" and "not worthy of retention".

However Bournemouth Civic Society has strongly criticised the proposed replacement.

In a submission to the planning board, the society states: "The Society think that the building of this structure would be an outrage against all the civilized building conventions that have evolved in Bournemouth over the previous 150 years."

The application is for nine two-bedroom flats and one three-bedroom unit.

It states: "It is considered that the submitted scheme has created a carefully balanced and attractive proposal which would not represent an overdevelopment of the site, nor would it create an overbearing impact on the neighbouring plots, thus maintaining the amenities of neighbouring residents."

As it is an outline application, planning officers and the board will be unable to consider the building's design as part of their deliberations.

However the civic society has taken aim at its "large and intrusive" design and "inappropriate" style, pointing to what it has identified as a trend among developers.

"In conclusion, the society would point out the increasing tendency of some developers in Bournemouth to try and obtain permission to build excessively large blocks of flats disguised in historic styles within inappropriate locations throughout well established residential neighbourhoods."

The scheme has received several objections from residents.

In one, Pamela Ruthvan of Pokesdown Community Forum says: "This is an example of a late 1800s industrial building and should be renovated/restored in line with current Boscombe and Pokesdown Neighbourhood Plan and Bournemouth District Wide Local Plan policy for heritage buildings."

Residents also raised concerns over parking in the short road near Pokesdown Railway Station.

According to the civic society, the site is within a neighbourhood of semi-detached, artisan houses put up as a purpose-built neighbourhood in the vicinity of Pokesdown Station during the rapid expansion of Boscombe and Pokesdown during the late nineteenth century.