PLANS to demolish a former bank in Poole and built 60 flats in its place have been turned down by the council.

Chessland Estates had put forward outline proposals to demolish the former Lloyds building and neighbouring car showroom and workshop in Commercial Road.

However, there were concerns the proposals, which included two retail units, would cause "irreparable harm".

The plans were criticised by a Poole council planning officer who said they showed “little regard” for the character of the area.

Members of the planning committee agreed and the application was refused on Thursday.

The developer has had two previous applications – one for 50 and one for 80 flats – to redevelop the site approved, with both schemes including the retention of the façade of the bank building.

However, its latest six-storey scheme would have seen the complete demolition of the building, which it said would have allowed it to create a more modern “landmark” design.

Objections to the application were made by the Society for Poole, Historic England, the Twentieth Century Society, and from council transport and waste officers.

Simon Hickman, Historic England's principal inspector, said the design paid "little reference” to the site being within the Poole Park conservation area.

In her report for the planning committee meeting, planning officer Sarah Scannell said: “The proposed design would have little regard to the character and appearance of the conservation area and would not be of a sufficiently high or exceptional quality to justify the loss of the former bank building.”

She also raised concerns about the potential congestion problems it could create and the lack of any affordable housing.