A BUNGALOW will be replaced by a block of flats with no on-site parking after Bournemouth council deemed there was “existing capacity” on the road.

The borough’s planning board granted permission to developers Sure Build Ltd to construct a two-storey block of four flats on Redhill Drive at its January meeting.

Eleven objection letters were sent to the council by neighbouring residents, and ward councillor Jackie Edwards said she was “puzzled” that the authority had recommended an application with no parking provision.

“I fail to understand why the lack of on-site parking for the development seems to have been accepted as unnecessary by the officer and the developer,” said Cllr Edwards.

“This busy, cramped junction feeds out onto the appalling gyratory system, which for many different times of the day, is choked with traffic.

“There is a bus stop opposite this property which also adds to traffic problems on this junction.

“I have seen many a cyclist risking life and limb here with the bus at the stop and cars turning left into Coombe Avenue.

“I find the lack of on-site parking for this development puzzling considering the council’s own parking supplementary document towards new developments.

“There could be eight or more cars including their visitors looking to park on roads close to a well-used children’s playground, park and bowls club.

“The extra parked cars will only add to difficulty for traffic leaving Redhill Drive, trying to get onto the gyratory system.”

Cllr Edwards added that Redhill is “overwhelmingly a family residential area” and that the current bungalow “sits well with its neighbours” - despite its previous owner “allowing it to fall into a state of disrepair”.

“Bournemouth has any number of one-bed flats, and any estate agent will tell you, a real lack of family properties,” she said.

Planning officer Charles Raven said that the proposal “would not have any adverse impact on the area’s character or appearance”.

He added that following traffic and parking surveys, it had been determined that there was “existing capacity” for cars to park on the road outside.

And Cllr Sue Anderson said the current building is in a "dreadful state", that there are other two-storey buildings in the area and the new development would be "a great improvement".