PLANS to demolish a 1950s block of clifftop flats for a larger development have been approved – with a councillor describing a previous refusal as a “terrible mistake”.

BCP Council’s planning committee voted heavily in favour Collerino Developments’ wish to replace the existing three-storey Purbeck Court flat block in Boscombe Overcliff Drive with a modern five-storey block of 19 two-and-three-bedroom flats.

This came just four months after the same committee refused identical plans amid concerns that the loss of existing visitor parking spaces would lead to an increase in indiscriminate parking elsewhere.

However, plans were resubmitted with the exception that none of the 25 planned parking spaces would to be allocated to any of the flats.

Bournemouth Echo: Existing Purbeck Court flats building in BoscombeExisting Purbeck Court flats building in Boscombe (Image: BCP Council)

Among the more than 20 people who objected to the plans was resident Nicholas Glassock who again cited parking as a worry. He told the committee: “The additional cars will predominantly park in Rotherfield Road which, due to its proximity to the beach, already has high parking levels.

“This application is an unchanged resubmission, local residents see absolutely no reason why the application should not be refused again.”

As reported, some residents voiced support for the application – one of whom described the existing building as “no longer fit for purpose”.

Planner Ken Parke spoke on behalf of the applicant and described the committee’s decision to refuse the previous application as “flawed”.

Bournemouth Echo: CGI of plans for new block of flats at existing Purbeck Court site in Boscombe Overcliff DriveCGI of plans for new block of flats at existing Purbeck Court site in Boscombe Overcliff Drive (Image: Arc Architecture)

Cllr Toby Johnson agreed, stating how the development met almost every requirement as stated in the neighbourhood plan. He said: “All of the units are well above national space standards and are some very nice flats.

“I think we made an absolutely terrible mistake refusing it last time and I think we have a chance here to correct that mistake.”

This was echoed by Cllrs Dave Kelsey and Marion Le Poidevin, who praised the development as being ideal for small families wishing to live by the seafront in a spacious. Cllr Kelsey said: “The building is a good design, it doesn’t look out of place.

“I’d rather have a spacious two-bedroom flat than a cramped three-bed.”

Following a motion to grant the application, 10 members voted for and two voted against.