PLANS to build a block of 10 flats on the car park of a pub have been refused.

Officers at Bournemouth Borough Council refused proposals for the car park of the former Holly Tree pub in Moordown arguing that the development would be 'out of keeping with the character and appearance of the area'.

The plans included nine two-bed and one one-bed apartments with associated parking, access and landscaping at Wimborne Road.

"[It] would result in a loss of light, an overbearing impact, and a loss of privacy to the detriment of the occupiers at 11 Marks Road," the decision says.

"The development would also provide a poor standard of living accommodation for the future occupiers of the building by reason of the size of units and lack of usable outdoor amenity space."

Cllr Beverley Dunlop had called for the plans to go before a committee before a decision was made, arguing that the size and scale of the development was overbearing.

"Residents to the rear will be directly overlooking the private living space and garden of the residents to the rear," she wrote. "There are a number of very small dwellings near the proposal, which will be dwarfed by this large development."

She also argued that it was another example of a social hub lost to development.

Other objections included claims that there were bats in the pub which would need to be carefully rehomed before any demolition works could go ahead.

Trees were removed almost as soon as the pub closed, another resident claimed within their objection.

Refusing the application, the officer's report added: "The applicant failed to demonstrate the impact of loss of the existing car park for the existing development.

"The loss of existing car parking spaces for the existing development is likely to lead to sporadic, inconsiderate and illegal parking on roads in the vicinity of the site and this is not acceptable."