A WELL-KNOWN restaurant boasting spectacular sea views could close after council officers recommended a plan to turn it into flats.

Bournemouth council’s senior planning officer, Charles Raven, claims that Edge Restaurant in Alum Chine is “no longer viable”.

Mr Raven’s report comes in response to applicant Carrington Trust’s proposal to convert the eatery, which sits at the top of the Studland Dene apartment complex, into two flats.

"A full viability appraisal has been submitted and assessed... given the information, it is considered that it has been demonstrated that the current use is no longer viable and there is no reasonable prospect of the use continuing.

“Had the restaurant not been part of the original development, it is likely that officers would have argued for some of the prime penthouse locations to be given over to tourism use to take advantage of the best views,” said Mr Raven, in his report to be considered by the council’s planning board today.

“Ideally, your tourism officers would like to see holiday lets as opposed to open market residential flats to continue the tourism use of the upper floor or retain at least part of the upper floor to provide tourism provision.

“However, it should be noted that the existing level of holiday accommodation on the site was considered an appropriate and acceptable replacement of the previous hotel use.”

He added that “the proposed physical changes to the existing building are relatively minor and would not be harmful to the character and appearance of the area.”

Mr Raven, who gave advice to the applicants while the plans were being put together, concluded his report by recommending the plan be granted subject to the applicant agreeing to several conditions, which include matters related to the times of day construction work is allowed, materials used and parking.

Ward councillor Nick Rose, however, is objecting to the plan on the grounds it goes against the council’s policy of “protecting tourism and cultural facilities”.

Additionally, there have been nine letters written by residents objecting to the change of use on the basis that the restaurant complements the nearby holiday accommodation and provides the area with an extra amenity.

There were also, however, 17 letters in support of the plan. These said it would reduce traffic problems, noise and would be “more reflective of the area’s character”.

The application will be considered at a planning board meeting, chaired by Cllr David Kelsey, at 2pm on Monday at the Town Hall.