FEARS over increased parking problems prompted councillors to reject plans to redevelop a former Royal British Legion club.

The application to reopen the Ashley Road club in Springbourne and convert the first and second floors into 10 flats sparked objections from residents.

Legion Developments was not proposing to create any parking spaces, claiming there was spare capacity in the immediate area and that the flats would not generate any more parking demand than the club’s function rooms.

Springbourne residents disputed this assertion and said they already struggled to park near their homes, particularly when AFC Bournemouth was playing at home.

Elaine Findlay, chair of Springbourne Neighbourhood Forum, also told the planning board the local community was becoming imbalanced, with almost three quarters of all planning applications granted in Springbourne over the past four years being for studio or one-bedroom flats.

“What is needed in Springbourne, if it’s to be a balanced community, is an increase in family-sized property, not more tiny rabbit hutches as is proposed,” she said.

Planning officers had recommended the application be granted permission but, at their meeting on Monday, councillors on the planning board sided with residents.

Planning board chair Cllr David Kelsey said: “Our decision to refuse permission was, in main, due to the lack of parking.

“However, we were also not very happy with the size of the properties being proposed. We thought they were a bit small and we didn’t think the quality of the design was very good.

“It is very busy round there and we have to consider the fact AFC Bournemouth look likely to get promoted, which would create even more pressure on the roads.”