A PUBLIC inquiry will be convened in Christchurch later this year to hear an appeal by owners of Saxon Square for permission to remodel the alley of empty shops at the Pound Lane entrance to the town centre precinct.

Landlords London and Associated Properties have been trying for years to replace a string of six small units between the bypass subway exit and the abandoned former health centre premises.

Apart from short-lets the arcade has remained deserted since the closure of the Oasis café and an adjoining nail salon in 2002 and other units have lain unlet for almost a decade blighting a main gateway to the town centre.

But proposals unveiled last year to demolish the parade of shops and replace it with a three-storey building housing a single large anchor store on the ground floor topped by eight one-bedroom flats were promptly and unanimously rejected by Christchurch council's planning committee.

Planning officers who recommended councillors to refuse the application said the scheme failed to overcome objections to an earlier application turned down on grounds of size and design which would not preserve or enhance the town centre conservation area.

There was also concern that the larger building would reduce the width of the pedestrian access to Saxon Square and present an unsightly flank wall to traffic entering the town from the bypass and Fountain roundabout.

Ward councillor Chris Legg who branded the scheme Pound Alleyway' told the committee: "We do need to revitalise this area, but this is a gateway into Christchurch and I think that the officers have got it right here. This in no way enhances the area."

Now London and Associated Properties have challenged the councillors' decision with an appeal to the government planning inspectorate.

No date has yet been set for the hearing but the grounds for appeal, original plans and related documents can be inspected at the civic offices and comments can be sent to the Planning Inspectorate at Bristol before March 28.