THE property development chief behind the £150m scheme at Salterns Marina in Poole believes the project can help address a lack of "quality amenities" in the area.

Richard Carr said that Fortitudo Property's plans for the site, which looks out across Poole Harbour, can be a "big stepping stone" to improving the facilities on offer for residents and visitors.

As reported, demolition of the Salterns Harbourside Hotel building began last week and is due to be finished by the end of the month.

Mr Carr said work on the planned 75-bed boutique spa hotel and a separate block of 65 residential apartments is due to begin in April 2022, with hopes that the development will be completed in 2023.

The plans include space for a number of restaurants and other hospitality businesses.

Bournemouth Echo: CGI of the plans for Salterns Marina with the apartment block and hotel. Picture: Fortitudo PropertyCGI of the plans for Salterns Marina with the apartment block and hotel. Picture: Fortitudo Property

Asked by the Daily Echo about the significant investment in the Lilliput area, Mr Carr said: "There is no doubt that one of the problems in this area is there is a lack of quality amenities for people.

"The area is becoming more densely populated by people from London who are used to having decent facilities and it is a shame.

"We have got Rick Stein's and we have a couple of other decent restaurants with The Pig and The Harbour Heights, but there really isn't the depth of quality establishments that are required by the type of people that are now living here."

Bournemouth Echo: Richard CarrRichard Carr

The Fortitudo Property's chief executive added: "I have lived here all my life and unfortunately it is just one of the things that doesn't seem to have kept pace with everything else.

"The choice and quality of restaurants just hasn't been there and I just think this is a big stepping stone in giving the people that live here better amenities for their day-to-day living."

Mr Carr described the plans for Salterns Marina as "unique" and "very, very exciting".

Approval for the plans was obtained from the now abolished Borough of Poole in 2017, with planning committee members giving the green light to the revised proposals.

A previous application with a smaller hotel and more residential flats had already obtained planning permission.