FOUR homes could be built on a recently-exhumed graveyard if new plans are approved.

Developer Jaydem Homes has applied to BCP Council for permission to redevelop the site next to the former Pokesdown United Reformed Church in Stourvale Road.

It describes its plans for the disused land as “attractive” and that four three-bedroom houses could be accommodated “comfortably”.

Work to exhume 184 graves was completed in January with plans for the remains to be reinterred at Kinson cemetery.

Gravestones are due to be moved closer to the former church building.

Now the developer has applied to the council to redevelop the site into “small” family homes with each having two parking spaces.

“The scale of development has been sensitively balanced to create four attractive small family dwellings whilst not representing overdevelopment nor creating an overbearing impact on neighbouring properties,” it says in a statement.

“The new two-storey semi-detached dwellings have been designed to be commensurate to neighbouring properties.

“The proposal respects the character of the area and offers the potential to introduce a new high-quality residential development which can be accommodated comfortably on-site without harming the character or appearance of the area.”

However, concerns have been raised about the impact the new homes could have on traffic in the area.

Objecting to the application, Maria Coombs, who lives in Stourvale Road, said parking was already “horrendous” and that new homes would exacerbate problems.

“The roads around the site are extremely narrow and cause terrible traffic build-up due to road parking,” she said, adding she hoped it could have been converted into a community garden.

Under the plans submitted earlier this month, the gravestones will be placed along the southern edge of the site with a memorial plaque placed to provide information about the removed remains.

Exhumation work took place over 10 weeks beginning last year and was carried out by Chester Pearce Funeral Service with the support of Bournemouth and Poole College anthropology students.

Council planning officers will consider the application in the coming weeks.