Plan for flats and offices for site next to former Ye Olde Starre inn

A PLAN has been submitted to build offices with four flats next to a Grade II listed pub in Christchurch after a previous scheme was rejected over concerns about flooding and parking.

The new outline application from Amirez Ltd is for the car park of the Smugglers Run pub in Purewell – formerly known as the Ye Olde Starre Inn – and adds office space to the previous unsuccessful bid for four homes.

Amirez Ltd said the new development will “preserve the setting of the listed building” and “provide an enhancement to the character and appearance of the conservation area”.

It also said the scheme would be "an excellent fit in the locality”.

The four apartments will be one-bedroom and share a communal garden. The previous application was for two two-bedroom houses and two three-bedroom.

It was rejected by BCP Council over worries about flooding and fears the design "did not respect" the setting of the pub.

Planning officers also said residents could suffer noise nuisance from the pub.

But the latest planning application said a new boundary fence and high-quality glazing in the development would “reduce” this.

It also said it has introduced measures to deal with the flood risk and parking concerns.

The last bid attracted 20 letters of support from local residents, many of whom said they thought it would “add” to the area and were keen to see the site developed. However, it was opposed by the town council.

A decision by BCP Council is expected after the deadline for public comments on 7th September. Details would have to be approved in a second application before work could begin.