'Landmark' Bournemouth town centre project unveiled

Developers have formally submitted plans for 212 new “high quality” flats one the empty land in Bath Road at St Peters Roundabout. 

The former hotel ceased trading in 2014 and later demolished in 2018, but has been an empty site ever since.  

Property asset firm Royal London Mutual, behind the project, said it is “proposing to redevelop the site to bring activity back to this important part of Bournemouth”. 

At up to 12 storeys high, the build-to-rent flats could become one of the tallest buildings in the town centre. 

CGI from Bath Road (Image: Royal London Mutual)

Architecture firm PRP, on behalf of Royal London Mutual, pointed out this shouldn’t be an issue given the number of tall buildings erected in recent years, including The Helm in Holdenhurst Road. 

Two of the 212 flats will be three-bedrooms, 12 will be studios, 97 are one-bedrooms and 101 are two-bedroom flats. 

Along with the homes, the developers are hoping the proposals will bring general improvements to the area such as public realm. 

There are also proposals for a cafe on the ground floor along with co-working and private office space and a reception area. 

As well as this, there are plans for a communal roof terrace and courtyard on top of the building featuring an outdoor dining area.  

The 11th floor communal space (Image: Royal London Mutual)

On the 11th floor, Royal London Mutual is proposing communal facilities comprising an additional co-working space, informal lounge and a dining room with a fitted kitchen. 

The developers added the "landmark building" will create up to 417 construction jobs, generate £28m to the local economy during the construction phase and around £1.7m from resident spending per year.

Feedback from a public consultation held in February found residents are “are in support of the enhancement and improvement to the area that this development would bring”. 

A report of the findings found that 79 per cent of people who attended were in favour of redevelopment of the site. 

Demolition of the former Belvedere Hotel in Bournemouth

Abigail Heath, a planner at Savills for Royal London Mutual, said: “It has been demonstrated by the extensive viability and marketing information submitted that a hotel use is not feasible under current market conditions, and the site should not be assessed as an existing tourism business. 

"The proposed development is of a high design quality, including a generous area of landscaping which will enhance the public realm on a key route through the centre.  

“The ground floor includes a publicly accessible element and provides active frontage.  

“Each of the proposed residential units will be high-quality and there are no notable detrimental impacts on neighbouring properties or nearby designated heritage assets.  

“The proposed development will optimise this sustainable, brownfield site which is currently vacant and detracting from the town centre.”