A POOLE hotel could be demolished to make way for 31 new flats under plans going before council planners.

The application for Marric Hotel at 145 Bournemouth Road is for a four storey block of 31 one and two-bedroomed flats which the developers say will "enhance the character and appearance of the local area."

But concerned parents at Courthill Infant School, which is directly to the rear of the site, are worried about the new block overlooking school playing areas - and putting additional pressure on an already over subscribed school.

Margie Warran of Landon Road wrote to the council to say: "As a parent I feel that there is a big privacy issue where the height of the building will mean that it overlooks the school playground."

Alison Morton of Mansfield Road said: "The nearby school is already oversubscribed and this will put more strain on the local resources."

The outline planning application includes plans for 25 parking spaces and one access point onto Bournemouth Road.

There are also fears over increased traffic and pressure on parking.

Kate Spear of Sandecotes Road, a parent of a child at Courthill Infant School, said it could strain the already congested roads proving a "potential hazard" for children walking to school.

Katie Sanders of Potters Way said the area was "already densely populated" and added: "The school is already suffering with traffic problems causing danger to the school children."

The hotel, which latterly provided accommodation for medium to long term residents in housing need, was originally formed by joining four semi-detached properties. Planning permission to convert it into four houses was granted back in October last year. On September 1 outline planning permission was given to demolish the hotel and build a four storey block of 14 flats.

Will Taylor of co-applicants Lauder Property Ltd said the new application covered a proposed increase in unit numbers within the same building- going from 14 larger units, to 31 smaller.

He added: "As far as we aware, the application meets all current planning criteria but these are ultimately matters for Borough of Poole planning department."

Ward councillor Xena Dion said, while mindful of housing need, she would 'red card' the application due to the level of concern and the scale of the development.

She told the Echo: "I absolutely take on board the concerns of residents, and this means they will be able to air those concerns in front of the committee as process allows."