“Too massive, too high and too weird” – but flats scheme at church looks set for approval

Bournemouth Civic Society has delivered a damning verdict on the development proposed for the Punshon Memorial Church site in Exeter Road, claiming no thought has been given to ensuring it would fit in with the surrounding historic buildings.

The proposal is to build a mix of 45 holiday flats and 62 open market units in a building of up to seven storeys high. There would also be two ground floor commercial premises, likely to be restaurants.

It would mean the demolition of the current church, including its distinctive tower and spire. However, a new tower feature is proposed for the south east corner of the building.

“We are of the opinion that what is proposed is both too massive, too high and above all too aesthetically weird to be a positive visual enhancement to the very sensitive urban environment nearby,” the Civic Society’s objection states.

“Consequently the society thinks that the proposed structure appears as a most unimaginative construction – simply a machine for obtaining maximum rental income and exhibiting no design sensibilities in respect to adjacent buildings.”

But Bournemouth Tourism is supporting the scheme, claiming the 45 holiday flats included as part of the development would make ideal delegate accommodation for people attending conferences at the Bournemouth International Centre.

The scheme, which has attracted 15 letters of objection, will go before Bournemouth’s planning committee on Monday, with councillors advised to award it planning permission.

The planning report states: “The design is highly contemporary and there is no doubt the development will have an impact on the visual amenities of the locality.

“However, I consider the design is sensitive to surrounding properties, including two listed buildings, and is of an appropriate scale whilst the materials palette is sensitive enough to allow the nearby listed buildings to remain the showcase buildings in the street scene.”