PLANS to demolish Poole’s landmark Sea View Hotel and replace it with a convenience store and homes have been recommended for approval.

The scheme, which could see the Victorian pub make way for a Co-Op and 10 flats, goes before Borough of Poole’s planning committee today.

There were more than 100 representations about the plans following a public consultation. Most objected on grounds including congestion, the loss of the pub and anti-social behaviour.

Dorset Police was concerned drivers could use its car park to cut through between Sea View Road and Ashley Road and that the car park behind the building could attract antisocial behaviour.

The Society of Poole Men also objected, citing concerns about the effect on the sight lines at the roundabout.

Neighbour Julian Wright said the application would worsen the traffic situation on the Sea View roundabout, which was controversially re-designed as a “shared space” area mixing traffic and pedestrians.

“The traffic is a nightmare at the best of times. It’s not a roundabout – people go straight over,” he said.

“There are so many near misses, it’s ridiculous.

“I can’t understand why you would allow something that would make a bad situation worse.”

Former Ashley Road Traders Association chairman Richard Wilson wrote: "The traffic is already very busy. There will be a detrimental effect on the shops in the area that are well established.

"The pub serves the community well and will be sadly missed."

Nearby resident the Rev Hilary Wright said the development would make the traffic situation worse, adding: “I wonder why we need another convenience store in this area as in Sea View Road there are already two existing stores.

“Also there are Co-Op stores in Ashley Road approximately 800 metres away and Ringwood Road approximately 700 metres away.”

A report by planning officer Laura Archer says the pub building, despite some unsympathetic extension, “does nevertheless have some architectural and historical interest and is a prominent local landmark”. It says the demolition is “acceptable”.

The report says the existing building could have been converted into a convenience store, like the former Tatnam Hotel near the town centre or Sandacres Hotel in Sandbanks. But it says adapting the pub could increase the road safety dangers.

The council says the planned 10 parking spaces for the shop and 10 for the flats are considered adequate.

There were a “small number” of comments supporting the scheme.

The planning committee was due to meet at 1pm today at Poole Civic Centre.