Residents hit out over plans for seafront flats on Wharncliffe Road in Highcliffe

MORE than 100 people attended a public meeting in Highcliffe to make their feelings known about controversial plans to build a four-storey block of flats in place of two houses.

Local councillor Andy Martin hosted the meeting after the application for 31-33 Wharncliffe Road sparked more than 100 objections from local residents. Councillors Lesley Dedman and Adam Sofianos were also in attendance at the meeting at the Old School House building.

As reported in the A&T, Wareham-based developer Burry & Knight Ltd want to build seven one-bed, eight two-bed and eight three-bed apartments, along with a basement car park for 44 cars.

The development is proposed for a site near to the car park beside the Cliffhanger restaurant, and images of the scheme show a modern glazed fronted block with two three-bedroom penthouses on top.

Villagers have branded the building “wholly unacceptable”, with some labelling it “ugly and oversized”.

Many of those who attended the public meeting expressed anger over the application, claiming it was “unsuitable” and would “ruin” the seafront.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Martin said: “The turnout was superb and clearly reflects the widespread and serious concern that residents have about this planning application, and more widely about the very future of Highcliffe and Walkford.

“The meeting was very constructive and hopefully will lead to a lot more people making BCP Council aware of their objections to this monster of a scheme.

“This is not just an issue for those living near the application sites, but one for the whole of Highcliffe and Walkford parish.”

Chapman Lilly Planning, acting on behalf of the applicant, say there are already a “significant number of apartment blocks along Wharncliffe Road” and the development would “complement the varied character” of the road.