DEVELOPERS hoping to secure outline planning permission for a £150m hotel, apartment and leisure complex on Bournemouth’s Winter Gardens site have been sent back to the drawing board.

Following a lengthy debate at the Town Hall yesterday, Bournemouth council’s planning board decided to defer a decision until June 17 after hearing concerns from local residents.

Tom Costello, representing 23 residents at Carlton Mount flat block on Cranborne Road, said they objected to the “sheer size” of the development and lack of “neighbourhood consultation.”

Mr Costello added that the development would create noise, overlooking and overshadowing problems as well as being out of character with the surrounding area.

Peter Adams, representing Beechwood Court, claimed the development would have “a devastating effect” on the site and would have an adverse impact on the lives’ of local residents.

But Anthony Ramsden-Geary from the developers’ agent Planning Solutions, insisted that “the truly wonderful scheme” would benefit residents, visitors and the future economy.

In emailed correspondence, Peter Scott, chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also backed the “exciting” proposals which, he said, would create jobs and boost the local economy.

But Jean Bird, representing Bournemouth Civic Society, objected to the new plans adding: “This comes with real risks; remember the Imax scheme which was diluted, added to, altered and hated.”

The borough’s head of tourism Mark Smith supported the new plans along with ward councillor Barry Goldbart and Cllr Mike Greene who said: “If it comes off it will be an attractive and exciting development which will regenerate this part of town.”

But town centre councillor David Smith urged the board to consider the views of local residents and the developers to reduce the height of the hotel.

A move by Cllr Beryl Baxter to defer a decision for one month, to give the developers the opportunity to liaise with local residents, was seconded by board vice-chairman Cllr Ron Whittaker and carried by seven votes to one.