Plan to replace Bulstrodes auction room in Christchurch and replace it with three five-storey blocks of 34 flats is withdrawn

A HEAVILY criticised plan to demolish a popular auction room in Christchurch for three five-storey blocks of 34 flats has been withdrawn.

Bulstrodes has been open since 1919 and claims to be the “busiest auction house in the Bournemouth area”.

The Bulstrode family owns the land it is on but the business in Stowe Road is run by Kate Howe Ltd.

The family had submitted an outline application to BCP Council to demolish the auction house and replace it with flats and parking for 34 cars.

But the scheme raised strong objections from residents who said the apartment blocks would be too “overbearing” and were “overdevelopment” of the site.

One resident complained: “We need houses, not more flats, which will be in keeping with the established character of the area. The scale and appearance of the proposed development is excessive, dominant, and out of place.

“The need for housing in Christchurch is centred on two and three-bedroom houses. The apparent obsession with apartments is to maximise revenue rather than meet the true housing need here.”

At the time of the application, agent Simon Trueick, MD of Intelligent Land which was acting as agents for the Bulstrode family, said it had been to establish “potential future value of the site”.

Mr Trueick added: “The auction business has changed a lot with viewing and bidding online, especially post-Covid. This is no sudden decision, but longer term they won’t need as much space, and it makes sense to realise the potential value of the site.

“This does not mean Bulstrodes is going to close tomorrow.”