TOWN planners have responded positively to plans to demolish the Cliff End Hotel and build a block of supported living flats.

The existing building, in Manor Road, Bournemouth, has been derelict since 2002 and in 2012 was badly damaged by a fire believed to have been caused by a lightning strike.

Freeholder the Meyrick Estate purchased the lease the following year and has put forward the current proposal, which was seen by residents at an exhibition earlier this month.

In a pre-application presentation to Bournemouth council’s planning board, the scheme’s planning consultant Ken Parke said the building had deteriorated to such an extent it was not possible to fulfil the council’s original direction that its historic core be retained.

“That development brief was prepared for the site prior to the fire, and it includes a lot of ideals for the site, which mostly, it has transpired, are not reasonable or practical, either financially or in physical terms,” he said.

“The existing building, whatever you think of its architectural merit or worth is structurally unsound and it cannot be preserved in real or in financial terms.

“Our expert advice is that it is of little merit in any event.”

Mr Parke also said the shape of the site precluded the development of another hotel or conventional flats as there was no space for parking.

Sarah Hordern of the Meyrick Estate told the board the fire had been the “death knell” for the previous leaseholder, the Boscombe Partnership, which had also sought to develop a new build on the site.

The hotel was created for the jeweller H Samuel, and its core is thought to date back to 1887.

Board chairman Cllr David Kelsey told the Echo that members were broadly supportive but nevertheless the application would be considered on its merits when it came before them.

At the meeting, ward councillor Michael Filer said East Cliff residents were “livid” at how long the site had been derelict.

“This is the first time anything that appears to look reasonable, look acceptable, is before you,” he said. “Please, with this, be as positive as possible.”

Board member Cllr Gina Mackin said she was “100 per cent behind it”, while Cllr Chris Wakefield said: “We welcome something being brought to the table, finally.”