A MAJOR developer has tabled a bid for the landmark Barclays House after having prior approval granted for its demolition.

Richard Carr, chief executive of Fortitudo, has been successful in seeking prior approval for the demolition of the historic Poole building which is being vacated by the bank at the end of the year.

If Fortitudo were to acquire the building, Mr Carr said they would create something “very, very iconic”.

Bournemouth Echo: Richard Carr.

READ MORE: Developer exploring demolition of Barclays House in Poole

He said: “Clearly, we want to see whether we can secure the site and try do what we want to do.

“We would be putting in a planning application if we were to secure the site for three substantial towers with iconic apartments which I think would be really quite fitting for the site.

“We were pleased to get the approval. Should we be successful in securing the site, it eradicates the issue of applications being out in to list it therefore it leaves us clear.

“It would bring housing on to a site that is, without being rude, it is a bit of a blight on the landscape.

“What we would put there will be very special and will be something people will be proud of for the next 70 or 80 years.

“Clearly, we are going to do something that is very, very, very iconic. It would really be something for people to drive past and say ‘wow, look at that’.

“Of course, we are obviously going to try go for substantial buildings and the apartments will have the most fantastic views.

“We plan to put a sky restaurant on top of the highest tower so the public will be able to enjoy it.”

Bournemouth Echo: Barclays House in Poole

READ MORE: Poole's Barclays House nesting site for peregrines

Barclays said it would not be commenting on the plans.

Planning officials decided the site should be subject to an ecological survey, including bats and falcons, prior to any work on the site.

A demolition environmental method plan should also be prepared, specifying dust suppression details, ensuring the works requiring ecological supervision are carried out by the developer’s ecological consultant and detailing other activities which have implications on adjacent Poole Harbour special protection area.

Officials said this would satisfy the local planning authority that there would not be significant levels of concrete dust and protected habitats would not be damaged.

No works would be able to take place until the authority was provided details of the location of contractors parking, vehicle access to the site, the method of vehicle loading and unloading, the amount of HGV movements to and from the site and management of pedestrian movement along Serpentine Road.