PLANNING chiefs are set to rule on proposals to demolish two buildings at Canford Cliffs and construct eight new apartments.

A petition signed by 73 local residents has been submitted to Borough of Poole (BOP) opposing the move - and council planning officers have recommended refusal for the scheme.

However, BOP is facing a housing shortage and one of the options being looked at to address this shortfall is development of sites in residential areas.

Developers want to construct two blocks of four apartments, with associated parking and landscaping, at Chaddesley Glen, Canford Cliffs, Poole.

This would mean the demolition of a two-storey house and a detached bungalow on site.

Neighbour Zealony Wright, who wrote to BOP's planning department to register her opposition, describes the plans as "overdevelopment of the existing site."

She added: "We have major concerns over the excavation works that will inevitably be necessary to create the basement parking and which could have a major impact on our property, in this elevated area."

Meanwhile, neighbours Iain and Stephanie Mckenzie say they're worried about additional traffic at Chaddesley Glen.

They explained: "With deliveries to Harbour Heights close to the corner of Chaddesley Glen and the increased traffic from the flats with reduced parking, cars will be forced to use the pavements for passing, which is dangerous enough already."

Canford Cliffs resident Tracy Holmes said: "This proposal seeks to magnify the housing density in a sensitive site and will result in loss of privacy for the neighbours and an increase in traffic volumes."

Planning officers, who recommend refusal, say the area is not predominantly characterised by flats, and the application site is within 5km of a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The application will be heard by BOP's planning committee at Poole Civic Centre today (September 22).