A PLANNING application has been submitted to build a block of flats and three terraced houses in the middle of Christchurch town centre.

Axis 51 Developments in Wimborne is seeking permission from BCP Council to build a block of eight flats, including a ground floor commercial unit and three townhouses off High Street in Christchurch.

If successful, the application will see the former Citizens Advice Centre building demolished and the site of the Bank Close car park in Sopers Lane transformed.

The commercial space would be in the form of a shop on the ground floor, with a floorspace of 36.9 square metres.

The development proposes eight flats spread out over the three levels of the two-storey building, with the second-floor flats partially within the roof space.

As well as 11 residential dwellings, the proposal will also see the construction of a bike store, car ports and vehicular access off Sopers Lane.

The application acknowledges the new monument that is due to be erected in the coming months to signify the location of the Christchurch’s historic town walls near Druitt Gardens.

In a statement provided by Historic England, principal inspector of historic buildings and areas Simon Hickman said: “The scheduled site includes the recorded remains of the Anglo-Saxon burgh defences, previous excavations outside of the scheduled area have revealed a large defensive ditch as well as an oven like structure with pottery dating from the medieval period.

“The potential impact of the proposed development on the site and on the setting of the scheduled town walls need to be considered.

“Given the nature of the development and the existing surrounding development, we do not consider the development will have an impact on the setting of the monument.”

The design and access statement states: “The adjacent buildings immediately to the north east, formerly the Fountain Hotel, and south west, the former Telephone Exchange, of the site are identified as making a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area, although neither are listed or locally listed.”

Planning permission was sought in 2015 to develop the site with a building comprising a flexible ground floor commercial space with eight flats above but was refused in 2016 and dismissed at appeal.

The application states that there are no works needed to alter vehicular access from the site off the Fountain Roundabout onto Sopers Lane.

The plan has no objections recorded.