Bournemouth Upside Down House lodges new planning application

Tens of thousands of people flocked to the Upside Down House in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens this summer.

A planning application was recently lodged asking the council to keep the blue building near Pier Approach until January 2025.

It currently only has permission to stay there until Wednesday, November 15. 

However, bosses at the attraction have said they are having “constructive dialogue” with BCP Council.

Pablo Abraham, business director for Upside Down House, said: “We maintain a strong commitment to Bournemouth, and a revised submission has been made. 

“We are honoured to partner with the charity Hope for Food, and once again, a portion of next month's entry fees will be donated to them. 

“Having welcomed 75,000 visitors this year, with over 85 per cent being families, we are engaging in constructive dialogue with stakeholders and the council, working towards a positive outcome.”

He added: "Our intention is to continue in Bournemouth, working closely with stakeholders and the local community."

Read more: Upside Down House to leave Bournemouth - despite it being a 'success'

In February this year, BCP Council rejected calls to keep Upside Down House in the gardens despite admitting it was a “success to the local economy”. 

Bosses had initially applied for 24 extra months, but the authority said it was “overly intrusive” because of the “size, bulk, design, height and prominent position”. 

The council then faced a backlash from residents, with one resident saying it was a “classic British problem. If anything is a success, cancel it”.

Russell Cotes museum has also seen a good summer (Image: BCP Council)

Another businessman added it had brought extra trade at a “difficult” time. 

By April, the council had reversed its decision and extended the house’s stay until this winter. 

Indoor attractions such as Upside Down House have seen a boost in visitor numbers across the conurbation this summer thanks to spells of bad weather. 

Read more: Bournemouth museum in need of 'significant' repairs

The Russell Cotes Museum and Art Gallery off Bath Road reported welcoming more than 30,000 visitors this summer. 

Museum management said it had seen footfall rise by 14 per cent – “exceptionally good”, according to manager Sarah Newman. 

Elsewhere, the Tank Museum in Bovington has also reported seeing a better-than-usual summer, saying it had seen “thousands” of extra visitors this year.