PLANS to demolish a Boscombe bungalow and replace it with a block of seven flats have been refused due to concerns about the loss of a family home.

Ralph Riffer applied to Bournemouth council in February to redevelop the Vale Road site into one-bedroom apartments.

But the application attracted three letters of objection from people living nearby who said the redevelopment could increase “prostitution and drug” problems in the area.

In a report refusing the application, planning officers said: “The application site is located within a sustainable urban area and would provide for additional units of residential accommodation.

“However, the proposal would result in the loss of a small family dwelling, would amount to overdevelopment that would be harmful to the area, would be harmful to the amenities of future and neighbouring occupiers and would be unacceptable having regard to highway safety.”