A MAJOR development to flatten a Bournemouth office block and replace it with a mixed-used building including hundreds of flats has cleared its first planning hurdle.

Troika Property Holdings Ltd has secured outline planning permission from BCP Council officers for the scheme at Waverley House in Holdenhurst Road, Lansdowne.

Further applications will need to be submitted on the finer details of the plan.

A council report on the scheme said the scheme would become the tallest proposed building to be given the green light.

The developers want to level the existing seven-storey building, which is located near Station Roundabout, and deliver a 27-storey structure in its place.

The proposal includes space for commercial, business and service users on the ground and first floors, with around 300 flats specifically for renters.

Bournemouth Echo:

A design and access statement submitted in support of the application by consultants Terence O’Rourke Ltd said: “Market trends have informed us that an office-only type development is not viable in this area.

“The site is in a sustainable location within walking distance of a range of local services and Bournemouth town centre.

“It also benefits from excellent public transport links including regular bus services and Bournemouth rail station a only short walk from the site.

“Due to the changing market conditions a successful development such as this one has to be efficiently design with circa 320 units with several small Class E units with associated car parking.”

The outline approval was for just the access and scale of the scheme. All other matters will require subsequent applications from Troika Property Holdings Ltd.

The development includes a new vehicle and pedestrian access to the site from St Paul’s Road and a new pedestrian access from Holdenhurst Road.

No objections were submitted by residents in relation to the plan, with two representations in support.

As the scheme is in the town centre area, no car parking spaces are required on site, however, the proposal includes 15 spaces, including two disabled spaces.

A report by a council planning officer said: “Of significant benefit would be the delivery of up to 313 private flats to the area.

“The applicant has confirmed a positive mix of units and that they would satisfy the national minimum internal space standard.

“Units would benefit from private balconies in some cases and communal roof top garden areas. The residents would make a contribution to the vitality of the town centre area, so there are economic benefits from construction aspects as well as long term from the population of the building.”