PLANS to demolish a listed building in Mudeford and replace it with a contemporary house have been criticised by Christchurch heritage supporters.

The scheme to knock down Staithe End, a Grade II-listed building near Mudeford Quay, has received both positive and negative comments since it was submitted to Christchurch Borough Council.

The existing building will be replaced with a two bedroom house complete with gym, which is designed to provide a “contemporary yet sensitive addition while aiming to maximise the use of available space on a relatively tight site.”

But despite positive comments from neighbours welcoming the modern design and an officers’ recommendation to grant planning permission, Roger Street,  from Christchurch Conservation Trust believes the building is out of place.

“In our opinion, the ultra modern design of this building might be appropriate in Sandbanks, but it is wholly inappropriate in this prominent position adjacent to an important listed building in the historic Mudeford Quay Conservation area.”

Architect Henry Goss, speaking on behalf of the applicants, said he anticipated some opposition to a contemporary building in such a historic area.

“We’ve had a lot of positive responses from people who are interested in contemporary design”, he said.

“The planners love it and people who live in the conservation area site also like it.

“Apart from this little group of people who have objected to it, it has been received really well.

“Whenever we propose anything contemporary or within an historic area you are always going to get resistance because there are so many bad contemporary structures.

“It is always a problem but generally if we can demonstrate that the design is not rubbish it can still work.”

A report by Forum Heritage Services said the building has undergone so much alteration from what started as a simple stable and coach house that it no longer has any features of its original use.

Seventeen objections have been received and the Conservation Trust has asked for the application to go before a planning committee.