PLANS to knock down a former pub in Poole and replace it with a four-storey block of flats and office space have been approved after years of inactivity.
An application to demolish The Ferryman site in New Quay Road was approved in December last year by a BCP Council planning officer who said the “attractive modern” design submission reflected “local patterns of development”.
The plan is to erect a four-storey building comprising port-related office accommodation on the ground floor and nine self-contained flats on the floors above, with associated car parking, cycle store and bin provision.
Of the nine flats, there will eight one-bedroom properties and one two-bedroom penthouse property.
Also known as The Railway Tavern in decades gone by, the former pub has been at the centre of several redevelopment attempts in recent years.
Read more: Demolition of Poole pub complete ahead of major flat development scheme
In 2019, plans to knock the building down and replace it with a block of flats and office space for Sunseeker were refused by planning officer Sarah Scannell on the basis they “would not constitute port-related development and would be likely to prejudice the port’s future economic potential”.
The recently approved plans, tabled by OOTA Property Limited, would make a “positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness” according to planning officer Sophie Burch and will spell the end for the 19th century locally listed building.
Resident reaction to the plans has been generally mixed, with some recognising a need to update the site and others electing to maintain the historical site.
In a debate on social media, one woman commented: “You can see both sides of this argument. It’s not in use, we need more housing. The answer is convert to housing, the council want to maximise revenue and build flats. The clever but less profitable approach is renovate and keep the history we all love. Build round it, history is finite.”
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In an official consultation response, shortly before permission was granted, Dorset Police spokesperson Claire Davis did not object to proposals but did outline several security measures the force wanted to see implemented.
She said: “I cannot stress enough, the importance of development that incorporates Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design to deter and reduce the opportunities for crime and antisocial behaviour. It will ultimately, prevent the need for additional resources from the police regarding crime and anti-social behaviour.”
Ms Davis suggested an inward opening automatic security gate or barrier be added to the front of the open access to provide access control for residents.
The granting of permission is now subject to a CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) contribution.
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