POOLE could have a 20-storey waterside 'landmark tower' and two new hotels in a £200m development plan being put forward by businessman Richard Carr.

The proposals which are at an advanced stage are likely to be submitted to Borough of Poole planners in January.

The plans include:

*The demolition of the waterfront Haven Hotel at Sandbanks and the construction of a 20 storey apartment block of up to 300 properties on the three-acre site

*A 7,000 square foot restaurant called the Jurassic Eye at the top of the building

*A new 150-200 bed hotel on the site of the Sandbanks Hotel

*A new 50-bed boutique hotel and spa on the current Harbour Heights Hotel location at Canford Cliffs.

Mr Carr has been drawing up the schemes on behalf of the owner of all three properties, John Butterworth of FJB Hotels.

The apartment tower at the entrance to Poole Harbour would be "iconic" said Mr Carr and showcase Poole as "proud and prosperous."

The restaurant would be a tourist attraction in its own right with a "mindblowing view."

He said: "I have been talking to John Butterworth for a number of years about FJB's sites. The Haven and the Sandbanks are both coming to the end of their life cycle."

The funding for the new Sandbanks hotel would come from the redevelopment of the Haven site.

"If all this goes ahead, Poole will leapfrog Bournemouth in terms of quality hotels.

"This would be a massive investment for Poole and indeed the wider conurbation to put it where it needs to be. It would be a huge shot in the arm for tourism."

Talks are currently taking place with Poole planners with a view to submitting the three planning applications early in the New Year. The scale of the Haven plan is likely to be controversial.

Building work could start in 2018.

Ken Sanson, Chairman of the Sandbanks Association, said: "As residents will know, there have been numerous plans submitted by both Eddie Mitchell and Richard Carr over the past 10 years, which must be approved by Borough of Poole before they can be carried out.

"We will have to wait and see with this one. I will also need to speak with the rest of the members of the residents' association as to whether we will be putting forward any formal objection to the plans."

Cllr May Haines, who represents the Canford Cliffs ward, said that she will be attending the public consultation, which takes place at the Haven Hotel between 2pm-7pm on November 24.

She added: "I haven't seen the plans myself yet to see what his ideas are as no official plans have been submitted to the council. However, I will attend the public consultation myself to see the plans and hear what residents in the area have to say about them."

For more information on that event call 0800 148 8911.