DEVELOPERS behind the now abandoned plans for a £40million hotel and apartment complex in Bournemouth town centre have gone into liquidation.

Fresh Lime Developments gained permission in 2017 to build a 131-bedroom Malmaison Hotel with a sky bar at the former Belvedere Hotel site in Bath Road.

Plans also included provision for a 66 (later revised to 68) residential flat block.

However, as exclusively reported by the Echo last week, the major plans were abandoned despite surveyors recently being seen at the abandoned work site.

Speaking on behalf of Malmaison, a development spokesperson said the project “regretfully did not materialise”. They elected not to comment on why the decision had been made.

Bournemouth Echo: CGI of the proposed Malmaison Hotel and flats in Bath Road, BournemouthCGI of the proposed Malmaison Hotel and flats in Bath Road, Bournemouth

It has since been established that Fresh Lime Developments’ Bournemouth operations were wound up in December with just £2,491 in assets declared.

The liquidation was handled by Begbies Traynor LLP who have been approached to comment.

Former director at Fresh Lime, Simon Lester, confirmed the liquidation and told the Echo it stemmed from the project’s abandonment – which was apparently due to the site owner not wishing to proceed with the plans.

“For reasons only known to [the site owner], they did not proceed with the plans and our agreement expired,” he said.

The Bath Road site is owned by investment company Royal London Group.

Bournemouth Echo: Abandoned work site at former Belvedere Hotel in Bath Road, BournemouthAbandoned work site at former Belvedere Hotel in Bath Road, Bournemouth (Image: Newsquest)

Several companies are filed in the Fresh Lime name under the directorship of Michael and Lee Bibring, one of which was also dissolved in December last year.

Of the Malmaison project, Michael Bibring previously said: “We are very excited to bring this scheme to Bournemouth and in particular for the town to boast such a fantastic hotel.”

Surrounded by construction hoardings, the abandoned site has not seen any building take place since the early ground and foundation work which started in 2019 after the land was cleared.

The development, set to be named Infinity Square, was expected to create around 85 new jobs and would have contained a Chez Mal Bar and Brasserie, a rooftop bar and terrace overlooking the seafront. There was also to be a gym, swimming pool and beauty rooms.