A HISTORIC stone plaque removed from Bournemouth seafront will be returned once building work has finished, the council has promised.

Bournemouth Council has given reassurances that the plaque and tablet that marked the opening of Undercliff Drive in 1907 will be relocated close to the original site.

The tablet was recently taken away from Pier Approach as part of building work to revamp the area.

It is one of the first sites to be improved as part of Bournemouth’s 20-year seafront strategy and planned work includes new water features and landscaping, a tourism information kiosk and low energy lighting.

The removal alarmed Cllr Ron Whittaker, the Independent councillor for Throop and Muscliff.

He said he was “horrified” to see that both the original brick-work and plaque had been taken away and demanded its reinstatement as soon as the work was complete.

In reply, Chris Saunders, head of operations, tourism and corporate communications, said the tablet and plaque had been stored safely and would be relocated in a position close to the original site. “Due to design and landscape constraints it was not possible to relocate the tablet in its original position as it would have been swallowed up within the new planting beds and seating area,” he said.

Cllr Whittaker said he would check this promise was fulfilled. “I cannot understand why a few planters should mean that we can’t return it to its original location,” he said.

“However, I’m pleased the new location is only yards from the original position and I will now be pressing to find out the date when it will be back in position.”