A CONTROVERSIAL proposal for a £100 million redevelopment of Salterns Marina in Poole comes before planners this week with a recommendation they approve it.

The application, led by property consultant Richard Carr, is for the demolition of the existing buildings in Salterns Way including the Salterns Harbourside Hotel, and construction of two multi-storey blocks of up seven storeys, comprising73 flats and a 60-bedroom hotel.

The plans include a rooftop ‘sky’ restaurant, a spa and gym, and new marina facilities. In addition a new quay wall, raised sea defences, a wider access road, and parking provision for 226 cars form part of the proposal.

The application has caused a storm of protest among local residents who held a Save Our Salterns crisis meeting in March. Some 200 letters of objection are now registered with Borough of Poole.

Concerns include traffic, overshadowing of neighbouring flats and the scale of the proposed development. The prominent site also sits alongside a Site of Special Scientific Interest and within a designated ‘high risk’ flood zone.

But planning officer Clare Spiller has recommended that councillors grant permission on Thursday.

In her report, she writes that the scheme “has the potential to regenerate the area and create an attractive waterside visitor destination.”

She does however lament the lack of affordable housing and that the “exclusivity of the new dwellings is unlikely to satisfy any local needs.” The developers’ ‘viability report’ demonstrates affordable housing cannot be provided due to the high costs of the development - the £8.1m new quay wall in particular,.

Richard Carr, who is spearheading the plans on behalf of Salterns Marina Ltd, has said previously that the proposals would give Poole “a world class marina, a new hotel, spa and a high quality restaurant overlooking our magnificent harbour.”

Bertie Bowman president of the Lilliput & Neighbourhood Residents Association said: “The general feeling locally is that this will be a disaster for the area.”

The planning officer has recommended that permission be granted subject to 21 planning conditions.

The final decision will be taken by councillors at Thursday’s planning committee meeting.