COUNCILLORS have rejected plans to convert a house into flats in Winton, against the advice of planning officers.

The application was to see 47 Heron Court Road, a large detached house on a corner plot opposite Winton Recreation Ground, converted into four flats.

Planning officer Tom Hubbard told the borough planning board that "conversion to flats is acceptable in principle" since the house was too large to come under council policy restricting the conversion of 'small family homes'.

"The size of the site overall and size of the property can accommodate this without it being overdevelopment, and it is not going to be materially different in terms of intensity of use," he said.

Ward councillor Pat Oakley objected to the scheme, telling the board: "It is a development which if it was in 70 per cent of the other wards in Bournemouth would be welcome, but it is not, it is in Winton East.

"You will all be aware that Winton East is different. Of the 12.000 residents living here during the academic year, 4,000 are university students, mostly living in HMO accommodation."

Cllr Oakley said the development would "contribute to increased pressure in the ward" and add to an "imbalance" of population.

The board voted unanimously to reject the scheme on the basis of "overintensification" of use, lack of space for residents and that it was out of character for the area.