PERMISSION has been granted for a new retirement apartment complex to be built one storey higher than the five originally proposed.

Members of Poole council’s planning committee approved the extension to the McCarthy and Stone scheme in Tower Road, despite councillors expressing frustration that the firm had not stated its intentions for the site when its original proposal was given the green light.

Dozens of residents had opposed the increase in the building’s height, raising concerns about the taller building casting shade on neighbouring properties.

Eric Coates, a director of the neighbouring Fountain Court, said: “In 2016, when McCarthy and Stone first submitted its plans, I advised all residents not to object because we were shown some beautiful plans and believed our views were listened to.

“What a mistake that was, our flats are now deprived of sunlight in the mornings, this proposal is totally unacceptable.”

He criticised a report by council planning officers for being “very, very, very biased” against residents opposed to the proposal.

Planning permission was first granted to McCarthy and Stone in 2017 for a five-storey block of 28 retirement apartments.

However, earlier this year it submitted its scheme to build an extra floor to accommodate four extra flats.

Considering the amended plans at Thursday’s meeting, councillors criticised the firm for not applying for planning permission for the larger scheme in the first place.

Cllr Marion Le Poidevin said: “I wish applicants would apply [for planning permission] for what they wanted in the first place.

“It seems they apply for what they think they can get and then add to it later.”

Despite criticism from councillors about McCarthy and Stone’s approach to submitting plans, members of the committee granted permission for the additional floor, admitting that the scheme complied with its policies.

As part of the permission, McCarthy and Stone will have to pay Poole council an affordable housing contribution of just over £1m.