MAJOR plans have been resubmitted for the development of three Sandbanks hotels.

Richard Carr of Fortitudo had plans refused in July to replace the Sandbanks Hotel with a new 171-bedroom hotel, replace the Haven Hotel with three blocks of residential apartments and erect a 38-suite ‘aparthotel’ in place of the Harbour Heights Hotel.

BCP Council refused the plans due to flooding concerns, despite being in favour of the development.

Bournemouth Echo: Developer Richard Carr

READ MORE: Sandbanks hotels plans refused over flooding concerns

And now Mr Carr has returned with amended proposals which he hoped would satisfy the Environment Agency.

He told the Daily Echo: “As you are aware the committee when they heard the application, really the only issue that was unsolved was the Environment Agency.

“We have now employed a new consultant to advise on that and we are expecting the planning officer to put it out to consultation.

“We are hoping the Environment Agency will be happy with the work we have done and there are other things we can do.”

Mr Carr said the key difference was the accommodation was now five metres above ordnance datum (above mean sea level).

Floor to ceiling heights had also been adjusted to raise the first floor of the Haven and Sandbanks Hotels.

“The Haven in particular, we have agreed to reinstate some of the flood defences which have been worn down over the years to give more of a wave barrier,” Mr Carr continued.

“We will wait and see what the Environment Agency say.

“I don’t think anyone is ever pleased with a refusal but you have to move on.

“I have been doing this for a long time and am pretty used to the ups and downs of the industry, it’s a long process to get this sorted.”

Speaking at the meeting when plans were refused in July, David Morley of the Sandbanks Community Group, who spearheaded a campaign against these plans, said The Haven was an “irreplaceable and priceless community asset”.

He said it should remain a hotel the planning officers should acknowledge that.

Summing up ahead of the vote, planning committee chairman, Cllr David Kelsey, said: “To me the Haven has no merit whatsoever any more.

“If a hotel was to go there it would become exclusive. This is not what we're about.

“The two previous hotels again are both in desperate need of replacement.

“However, we do have the EA (Environment Agency) assessment and that is my only concern.

“I think the applicant has got the impression we are in favour of the design but we need the EA agreement as without it we are scuppered.

“It is only and solely for that I will have to support the move to refuse it.”