THE future of three of Bournemouth's conservation areas will be discussed next week.

The council commissioned consultancy firm Donald Insall Associates to prepare reports looking at the Old Christchurch Road, East Cliff and West Cliff & Poole Hill conservation areas, which the borough says are "under significant pressure for development change".

The reports will be discussed at a meeting of the planning policy steering group on Friday, May 18, where members are being urged to put them out for public consultation.

They contain a number of suggested alterations to the existing conservation areas, including boundary extensions and potential subdivision, as well as potential modifications to planning rules governing the design and appearance of future developments.

A report to the steering group states: "These three conservation areas have been highlighted as priority areas for an appraisal and management plan because of the on-going high level of pressure for development.

"They have also been highlighted because of the need to provide evidence to support the Local Plan Review, including understanding the potential opportunities to provide new homes to help meet the need for significant numbers of new homes."

There are 20 conservation areas in Bournemouth – with legal requirements for alterations or new development within their boundaries.