PROPERTY developer Eddie Mitchell's vision for a Sandbanks Sports Stadium is set to come before planners after his revised plans were submitted to Borough of Poole.
Proposals for a 1,754-seat Sandbanks Sand Sports Stadium, similar to those which went on public display in July, have now been formalised with an application for outline planning permission.
It sets out an ambitious vision for a sand arena on the Sandbanks Pavilion site, with covered seating on all four sides including 20 executive glass boxes on the first floor level.
Though only an outline application, the plans suggest the part three-storey development would draw on the "art deco styling of the original pavilion" and could host the likes of beach volleyball, beach football, show jumping, sand sculptures, concerts and performing arts, extreme sports events and a winter ice rink.
Forty beach huts are proposed to replace those that would be lost, along with sixteen two-person mini studios and four four-person beach studios, available for overnight stays. The arena would be open to the public - except during ticketed events.
The development plans also include a children's soft play area, new shops and food outlets, meeting room, new lifeguard control room, public toilets and two changing units.
The application includes a proposal for a dedicated park and ride scheme on event days - and details parking provision, including the existing car park, as "above 450 spaces."
The proposal is already eliciting strong views. Comments on Borough of Poole's online planning portal addressed the issues of access and parking and impact on the Sandbanks environment.
Among concerns listed by June Topham, on behalf of the Sandbanks Association, were: "The increase in traffic congestion, the viability of the entire enterprise, noise and the obliteration of a good children's play area."
Stephen Brimble of Ferndown said it would be: "an unsightly construction spoiling the natural beauty of the location."
Susan Mooney of Westcliff Road in Bournemouth said: "This is an unwieldy proposal and overdevelopment of our special Sandbanks environment," while another warned it could end up "another version of Bournemouth's IMAX fiasco."
Mr Mitchell previously said "years of under-investment have created a significant backlog of public infrastructure work on the seafront," and he believes this plan will help to address that.
The design statement submitted with the application adds: "Interest has been shown by national beach soccer and volleyball to use the arena as a national home for their sports. There will only be one chance for this and Poole is in front of all others with this application being the first of its kind."
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