Proposals submitted to turn Bournemouth car park into apartments

An old car park in Bournemouth could soon be transformed into 62 apartments, bournemouthdevelopmentcompany.com reports.

Plans have been submitted to local councillors to turn the Leyton Mount car park on Madeira Road into a block of 62 apartments over five floors, as well as making space for a commercial property.

A restaurant or café with outside terracing has already been put forward as a potential candidate for the ground-floor level business.

The properties could also benefit from on-site parking, with the plans including enough space for 54 vehicles.

Letting agents in the area may follow the story closely as many are unsure whether planning permission will be granted or whether developers will have to go back to the drawing board.

Despite organisers trying to bring a rural sense to their proposals in using coloured panels to symbolise "the seasonal changes of Horseshoe Common", acceptance of the proposals is not a foregone conclusion, as the council has already received four letters in objection to the plans.

Amongst those campaigning against the plans are English Heritage and the Bournemouth Civic Society, which both claim the building's height would adversely affect the surrounding area.

Planning officer Steve Davies believes the plans should be followed through though, telling bournemouthecho.co.uk: "The scale of the development has been significantly reduced and is now considered appropriate in this setting.

"The site is in a suitable location for access to public transport and a wide range of shops and facilities. The mixture of residential and commercial uses is appropriate for the site and will help to create an active and welcoming frontage to this part of Old Christchurch Road."

Posted 17-02-2012
Author: David Howells