PLANS to demolish a wine shop in Poole and replace it with a four-storey development have been refused.

The proposals for the Oddbins store in Lillpiput were submitted by Fortitudo, which is headed up by well-known property developer Richard Carr.

However, a Poole council planning officer was concerned the plans for a new commercial unit with eight flats above and 13 car parking spaces would appear “cramped” on the corner plot.

Members of the planning committee backed the officer’s recommendation to refuse the application at meeting on Thursday.

Around 60 residents and groups commented on the plans, which were similar to a previous application that was withdrawn before it could be determined.

Objectors had a range of concerns, including: the loss of the current building; the scale and height of the proposed scheme; inadequate parking; reduced visibility for vehicles turning from Anthony’s Avenue, and potential damage to the adjoining building.

However, supporters of the scheme said the current building has no architectural merit and the proposal would be an improvement of the site and contribute to progress in the Salterns Neighbourhood Parade area.

Wine merchant Oddbins went into administration recently, putting 550 jobs at risk if a buyer cannot be found.

The business operates 101 off-licences and two convenience stores under a variety of brands, including the branch of Oddbins at Sandbanks Road.

It is the second time the company has collapsed in eight years.

Planning officer Eleanor Godesar said while the Salterns Court development opposite the Oddbins site was a similar height to Fortitudo’s scheme, “the east side of Sandbanks Road has a more domestic appearance which the proposal fails to respect”.

“The current scheme includes only surface level car parking which would dominate the remaining frontage to Anthony's Avenue and would be positioned directly adjacent to the footway with no room for landscaping to soften its appearance,” she said in a report.

“The footprint, scale and height of the building, combined with its massing close to the frontage of Sandbanks Road and Anthony's Avenue would result in a building which would appear cramped on its site.”