A BID to flatten a row of eight houses in Bournemouth and replace them with 50 flats has been refused following a deluge of objections.

Fayrewood Property Consulting Ltd sought outline permission from BCP Council to demolish the homes at The Woodrisings in Branksome Wood Road and build a single residential block with basement parking.

The plans attracted more than 90 objections, as well as a 131-signature petition, across both its original submission and amended designs.

Objections were also raised by the local authority's highways department over the creation of a new access point in the road.

Conservation and heritage group Bournemouth Civic Society said it was not surprised scores of residents had been in opposition to the plans.

Bournemouth Echo:

Commenting on the application, the organisation said: "Although the society accepts that some modern flat blocks have become an accepted feature of Branksome Wood Road in recent decades, we feel strongly that the proposed block would be far too massive in comparison to adjacent buildings.

"It would appear as massive angular concrete and glass structure and a complete aberration in respect to the surrounding landscape in the vicinity of the nearby Central Pleasure Gardens."

Verwood-based Fayrewood Property said the development would better fit in with the surrounding buildings and not negatively affecting the listed Upper Gardens the site backs onto.

A statement submitted as part of the application said: "The proposal presents a sustainable form of development, contributing to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Bournemouth.

“The proposal would lead to the intensification of brownfield land in a highly sustainable location [and] would lead to a much-needed boost to housing land supply in an area with a very substantial deficit.”

Bournemouth Echo:

The application, which sought permission for access and scale, with appearance, layout and landscaping reserved matters, was assessed by planning officer Tom Hubbard before the council's planning department refused the scheme under delegated powers.

Mr Hubbard's report said: "The proposed development would result in harm to the character and appearance of the area.

"The proposed development is too large in terms of height, mass and bulk compared to neighbouring development, and will result a very wide and bulky building for the site area, which will erode the character and appearance of the area.

"There are also concerns in terms of highway safety and the inability to provide the required number of parking spaces to serve the development."