PLANS to replace a care home for Christadelphians with a new facility more than double its size have been refused.

BCP Council said the scale of the building proposed by Christadelphian Care Homes’ (CCH) for the Knyveton Road site was “excessive”.

“The proposal, which would be larger than the existing care home, would comprise overdevelopment [with] the built form occupying nearly the entirety of the plot,” planning officer Peter Burridge said in a report.

“The scale of the work is not justified and would be out of keeping with the pattern of surrounding development and the character of the conservation area.”

The existing building was constructed in 1964 and is made up of 27 rooms for members of the Christadelphian community, of which Bournemouth’s is the second largest in the country.

But the company said it was “unfit” for use as a care home and put forward its scheme for a replacement in September.

It would have catered for 30 people in the main building as well as others in six apartments.

“The quality of care provided for residents is exceptional,” a statement submitted with the application said.

“However, the building is no longer fit for purpose, falling short of current standards in terms of room sizes, accessibility standards and facilities.”

It added that a search had been undertaken for other locations in the town but no suitable site could be found.

However, planning permission was refused by the council due to its concerns about the size of the buildings and the impact they would have on the East Cliff conservation area.

“The proposal would result in an overdevelopment of the site that would be out of keeping with the surrounding pattern of development and at odds with the character and appearance of the conservation area,” Mr Burridge’s report added.

Plans to fell several trees to make way for the development were also called “unjustified”.