A BOURNEMOUTH garage is finally due to be demolished – more than 18 months after permission for a development scheme was given.

Hoardings have been in place at the Clock Garage, which stands at the junction of High Howe Lane and Ringwood Road in West Howe, since February 2018.

A block of 15 flats will be built at the site, previously a second-hand car dealership and hand car wash.

Councillor David Brown, who represents Merley and Bearwood, said the site has been empty for "several months".

"I spoke with the developers this week and they have had long delays awaiting decisions on planning conditions about soil samples and other matters," he said.

"These are now satisfactorily resolved and they are making plans for contractors to start work on site, though much later than they wanted, so residents can expect to see construction commencing in the coming weeks."

The flats will feature underground parking and cycle storage.

Previous schemes were dismissed over their bulk and impact on the street scene.

A planning report said as there are other retail facilities in the area, the loss of the showroom would not be considered harmful in this case.