COUNCILLORS should back a new 19-storey building in the Lansdowne, officers have urged.

Watkin Jones Group already has permission to build a 12-storey office block on land between Telecom House and Bournemouth University International College in Holdenhurst Road.

Now the firm claims the plans are not economically viable, and it is seeking permission instead for a taller block housing a "live-work facility" with 147 flats and reduced office space incorporated.

When it was revealed to the planning board earlier this year, councillors said they were "frustrated" and "disappointed" that the developer had presented "a total change from what we wanted".

And ward councillor Mike Greene said: "To be honest it is downright shoddy and just shows that they are trying to treat the Bournemouth planning board and its residents like mugs."

However, council officers have recommended the scheme for approval at the next board meeting on Monday, December 18.

Watkins Jones is already developing a mixture of student flats, teaching facilities, offices, a hotel, shops and car parks on two other sites in the Lansdowne area, all as part of one application in 2015.

A report by planning officer Simon Gould states that the council's consultant surveyor BPS considered a viability report from the developer and has concluded that: "We consider the change that has been proposed to the Holdenhurst Road scheme by the applicant to be necessary in order to ensure the overall Lansdowne development remains viable.

"It is clear that on its own the consented Holdenhurst Road scheme is unviable and undeliverable, and that even when the other two sites development have been factored in so as to cross-subsidise the Holdenhurst scheme, it remains undeliverable."

The scheme has two letters of objection but seven in support.

Chris Shephard of Development Services at the Town Hall says: "The developer set out to achieve 100 per cent office on this site.

"It now claims it cannot do so and has put forward this alternative. This is not acceptable.

"It is my professional opinion that there is demand for high quality, well located office space in Bournemouth, and demand is strong."

But Chris Bainbridge, of Gloucester Road, says: "I think the area needs more large scale developments to give it the gravitas it needs to compete with the rest of the country.

"As a growing digital economy it's important that it has a recognisable business district to help strengthen its brand.

"Offering more innovative work spaces will help breed entrepreneurial spirit, and more modern architecture will help change the perception of Bournemouth away from sleepy seaside to a respectable modern business hub."

The developer is also seeking an alteration to a scheme for teaching facilities on the site of the former Oxford House in Oxford Road, allowing their use as office space.