A GROUP of 40 students from Southbourne became planners for the day as part of their studies.

Young people from Years 11 and 12 geography classes at Bournemouth Collegiate School worked with local town planning consultants, Tanner and Tilley, and property letting and tourism accommodation specialists, Bournecoast.

The students were split into four groups. They were then asked to consider a hypothetical planning application for a 60-bed budget hotel, to be based on a Southbourne cliff-top site, from different peoples’ perspectives.

Following this, they were then required to present their findings as if it was being presented to a planning committee.

David Revill, a geography teacher at Bournemouth Collegiate School, said: “We are very appreciative of these two local professional practices to take the time to give our geography students a taste of the real world of property and development.

“The kids really got stuck into the task and have learned a great deal from the exercise,” he added.