PLANS to build a new restaurant at a Bournemouth West Cliff hotel have been refused.

Civic planners told developers to go back to the drawing-board after studying plans for a new eatery at the Montague Hotel in Durley Road South.

The borough's head of tourism Mark Smith supported council officers' recommendation to refuse the application, adding: "This is not a helpful development for this part of town which is a conservation area."

But ward councillor Barry Goldbart urged planners to grant permission for the scheme.

He said: "The hotel was built in 1893 but it has been modified many times. In my view it is not in its original state. It abuts a large roundabout in a busy, noisy part of town.

"It is an important hotel and I commend this project to the board."

But Cllr Roger West described the Montague as "ugly," adding: "The one next door is even uglier. They have absolutely no character.

"I hope this inspires the new owners to make a great landmark building on this important site.

"It is crying out for something that is really good."

Cllr Beryl Baxter described the application as "too stark for this prominent site".

Cllr Ian Newport said: "I like the idea of having a restaurant in this area; I live round the corner. But I am not impressed by the application. It is too big and dominant. It's not integrated."

His move to refuse planning permission for the scheme was carried by an 11-0 vote.