PLANS to build eight homes in place of a former care home in Bournemouth have been withdrawn.

Southwood Lodge in Southwood Avenue closed last year after being given an ‘inadequate’ rating by the Care Quality Commission.

Last year Bournemouth council refused an application to convert the building into a block of 17 flats.

Following that decision, a revised scheme to demolish the building and construct two pairs of four ‘town houses’ were submitted at the end of last year.

In a statement put forward with the application, developer Elliot Heron said the care home made a “negative contribution” to the appearance of the area.

“The proposed development will be a substantial reduction in mass and bulk compared to the existing building,” it said.

“It is considered that the proposal would create a carefully balanced and attractive proposal which would not represent overdevelopment of the site or create an overbearing impact on the neighbouring plots.”

However, it took the decision to withdraw the application on Wednesday.