COUNCILLORS are being recommended to approve controversial plans to build two blocks of flats in Southbourne.

Dozens of people have objected to Libra Homes’ proposal to demolish 36 Southbourne Road and replace it with eight flats.

But a report to members of the BCP Council planning committee, who will consider the application on Thursday (June 27), says most were made before the developer amended its plans.

A previous attempt to knock down the building on the site and replace it with 10 flats was refused by Bournemouth council last year.

Originally, permission was being sought for one larger block of flats but last month the scale was “significantly” reduced to two separate two-storey buildings.

A statement submitted with its application says “readily lends itself to a higher density of development”.

“The site is a clear candidate site that lends itself to redevelopment to make a more efficient use of the land available and deliver more new homes,” it adds.

Provision for nine parking spaces behind the two buildings is included in the plans.

Sixty-one people have written to BCP Council opposing redevelopment of the site, raising concerns about the number of flats being proposed and the impact it would have on traffic.

And although most were submitted before, more than a dozen were lodged after the revised proposals were put forward.

Due to the level of objections, the application will be decided by councillors with a report published ahead of the meeting recommending that they grant planning permission.

It says: “The proposed development would provide an additional six units of accommodation on an existing brownfield site.

“With the amendments to the design and reduction in bulk and scale it is considered that the development would be in keeping with the character of the area and would not result in a detrimental impact on neighbouring properties.”

Councillors will consider the application at the meeting on Thursday, June 27.