BOURNEMOUTH hoteliers are opposing plans for a new town centre hotel, claiming the area does not need extra accommodation.

The plans to replace the Punshon Church opposite the BIC with a 110-bedroom hotel and nine residential flats have sparked a wave of protest from rival operators.

Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association claims there is “no compelling evidence” the town requires a new hotel.

And it voiced fears the new hotel would be a Travelodge, which could lead to an oversupply of that brand and reduce the mix of hotel accommodation on offer.

It also slammed the design as “poor and uninspirational” and “too much like student accommodation”.

Concerns over the design have also been raised by the Bournemouth Civic Society, which believes a relatively low-rise building, similar in height to the BIC, would be best for the site.

In a letter to planners, the Society said: “Quite frankly the Society prefers the existing church, inappropriate as it may be to the site. If built, we think the new structure would resemble nothing less than a conventional university halls of residence from the 1960s.” Objections have also been lodged by the East Cliff and Town Centre Residents’ Association, who say the proposed building is “bland and uninspiring” and from the nearby Whitehall Hotel, who claim the budget hotel sector has been “flooded” in recent years.

Hermitage Hotel owner Philip Oram, who is behind the proposals, said the design had been completely reworked following discussions with planners. The height of the proposed building has been reduced from eight storeys to six.

“I’m working with the council planning department to come up with a satisfactory design,” he said.

“There have been a lot of objections, I do accept that. They did come as something of a surprise because I don’t feel the site is good for much else. It’s sitting right across from the main entrance of the BIC, it’s perfectly ripe for a hotel.”