ARTS University Bournemouth’s (AUB) plans to build a bold and “quirky” ‘innovation studio’ are set to be given the go-ahead.

The state-of-the-art facility for small businesses in the digital and creative industries is proposed on the western edge of the campus.

However, the brightly coloured, irregular building has attracted objections from some neighbours, who think the design is “ugly” and out of keeping with the character of the nearby residential area.

AUB submitted detailed plans for the facility on its Wallisdown campus in September after winning funding from Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The studio would be a base for small business start-ups, many of which would be the work of AUB’s graduates. They would be advised by leading experts at the university and from wider industry.

AUB said the studio would encourage employability and act as a catalyst for growth.

It commissioned CRAB Studio architects, which designed the award-winning Drawing Studio on campus.

The building would be two-and-a-half storeys tall and fit alongside the existing workshop building and University House.

Designed as a ‘signature’ building, it would accommodate a series of ‘focus pads’ on three different levels, with natural light shafts provided to each one. Users of the new studio would benefit from access to specialised equipment within the adjacent workshop building. Short leases of approximately six months would be available, after which time start-ups would relocate to their own premises.

Borough of Poole planners will discuss the proposals at a meeting on Thursday. The plans have been recommended for approval by officers.

A report to the planning committee states: “The proposal presents a quirky and individual new structure to the AUB campus. Its innovative design and bold colour would elevate its prominence both on a road frontage and near to the AUB entrance.

“Its contrast to the uniform appearance of houses in Talbot Village is considered acceptable because of the clear transition between the two areas by the firm division created by Fern Barrow. AUB is an appropriate location for innovative new architecture, which includes the recent Drawing Studio to the north east of the current proposal.”

Last month, the university’s wider plans to expand its campus and build a new arrivals pavilion and student accommodation were approved at the reserved matters stage.