PLANS to demolish a large house in Ferndown and replace it with seven flats and a detached dwelling have been turned down.

The outline application for 84 Golf Links Road was labelled as "poor design" and refused by an East Dorset District Council planning officer.

Ten letters of objection were received from neighbouring residents, with the main focus of concerns including size, siting and massing of proposed buildings, impact on neighbour amenity, and increased traffic movements.

Natural England also voiced an objection to the scheme over issues concerning internationally designated nature conservation sites, with the proposed development located close to protected heathland.

In summarising the reasons for refusal, a report by East Dorset District Council planning officer Robert Thain says: "The site is located within 400m of internationally and nationally protected heathland. "This additional residential development, in the absence of suitable mitigation, is likely to have a

significant adverse effect upon the internationally designated site."

The report adds that the development would have a "very significant adverse harmful impact" on neighbouring properties.