RESIDENTS and businesses in Southbourne are objecting for a second time to a controversial application to build on the Crossroads car park.

Over 400 residents have had their say over renewed plans to build a block of flats on Southbourne Crossroads car park.

Vivir Estates Ltd previously submitted plans to build the apartment block but they were rejected unanimously by the council, following a long campaign by residents.

The developer has now resubmitted an amended version of the plans, for the erection of four blocks of 24 flats with bin and cycle stores as well as vehicle access and undercroft car parking.

But residents and local businesses say the development will remove much needed parking in the area.

Resident Francis Owtram said in his objection: “This application will lead to the loss of sixty plus parking spaces.

“The convenience and closeness of the Southbourne Crossroads Car Park to the local shops is imperative to maintain. Warren Edge car park is much further away from these existing businesses.

"Further, the businesses in Southbourne Grove, and indeed Pokesdown and Boscombe, benefit as visitors follow the signs from the Wessex Way to Southbourne Beach. Local businesses have to be able to make hay while the sun shines.”

Bournemouth Echo:

A spokesperson from SOBO beach said: “As a beachfront business with no private parking we rely heavily on the local public parking infrastructure.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the loss of this carpark, coupled with the introduction of a considerable number of new apartments that are short on parking facilities, will doubtless have a combined deleterious effect on trade for ourselves and all businesses in the area, threatening the economic development of the locale at a precipitous time.”

A spokesperson from the popular beach restaurant also posted on social media saying: “We might be the new kids on the block, but we love SOBO & couldn't imagine losing this much needed parking as well as the residents community garden.”

A spokesperson from Shore Pilates, pilates and yoga instruction in Southbourne said: "We have over 200 clients many of which come for their mental as well as physical health. The studio also provides a workplace for around nine people.

"We are open six days a week so the studio will have to close throughout the build as it will be far too disruptive to teach classes whilst the build is in progress.

"Too much noise and nowhere for clients to park will result in clients leaving.

"This will inevitably mean that Shore Pilates will have to relocate but as we are tied into a lease this won’t be possible, meaning we will probably have to shut down."

Georgette Perrins from Hair-103, a hairdressing business in Southbourne added: “As there is only one hour parking outside my premises the car park gets used by my customers if they are in for a longer appointment.

“It’s a hard time for small businesses at the moment without adding another thing to it by having to park further away.”

The application can be viewed on the BCP Council planning portal for Bournemouth. The public consultation is open to comments until September 9.