PLANS for to replace two blocks of flats in Canford Cliffs with new specialist retirement apartments are set to be approved next week.

BCP Council’s planning committee will be asked to approve the McCarthy and Stone scheme when they meet on Thursday, despite more than a dozen objections.

A report says the development would “provide housing for an ageing population in an area where there is demand”.

McCarthy and Stone submitted its application to redevelop the Carisbrooke site in Canford Cliffs Road at the beginning of the year.

It proposed demolishing the “outdated” five-storey existing blocks which it says are facing “structural issues”.

In their place, it would build a single, seven-storey block of 60 one- and two-bedroom flats in a facility which provides on-site carers for residents.

The firm’s regional managing director, Shane Paull, said the development would provide “much-need specialist extra care retirement accommodation on brownfield land”.

But the application has attracted opposition over concerns about the scale of the proposed building, “a lack of parking” and the potential increase in noise and disturbance in the area.

These have been echoed by ward councillor Mohan Iyengar who referred the proposals to the council’s planning committee for a final decision.

He application will be considered at its meeting on Thursday, however it will be recommended to grant planning permission.

In a report, council planning officer Claire Moir said revisions made to the proposals restricting the size of the would-be building’s upper three floors had overcome initial concerns.

She also says the provision of 43 residents’ parking spaces meets with the council’s policy and that there were “significant distances” to most neighbouring buildings.

“The proposals would provide housing for an ageing population in an area where there is demand and close to Local amenities,” she said.

“The proposals by virtue of their siting, design and massing have been design to address the street scene in a sensitive manner and preserve neighbouring privacy and amenities.”

A final decision will be made by councillors at Thursday’s meeting.