NEW plans for an eight-storey development on the former Odeon cinema site in Bournemouth have been revealed by architects.

Owners Libra Homes have applied for permission for two retail levels, 67 apartments and 68 parking spaces on the Westover Road site.

They also plan to incorporate a residents' lounge and residents' garden on the site, which backs on to Hinton Road.

Two previous applications - one for 101 flats and another for 84 flats, have been rejected by Bournemouth planners.

An appeal against the refusal to grant permission for the latter was dismissed.

Libra Homes bought the Odeon along with the nearby ABC cinema for more than £6 million when they closed to make way for the new Odeon multiplex at nearby BH2 in 2017.

An application to build 62 flats on the ABC site has also been turned down and dismissed on appeal.

A further planning application is also expected for the ABC site.

The latest application for outline planning permission has been submitted to Bournemouth council.

A spokesman for the owners said it overcomes the previous Planning Appeal Inspector's objections on scale and height and aid it also retains the historic facades on both Westover Road and Hinton Road.

The proposal for a mixed use scheme of shops and flats would boost footfall and trade in the area, according to the spokesman.

"After consultation with the council in the form of pre-applications and a Design Review Panel, we have a produced a scheme which retains historic features of the building whilst enhancing the buildings presence on both Hinton road and Westover Road and removes the current unpleasant asbestos clad warehouse roof, replacing it with an elegant extension that compliments the existing design."

He said the development will help to regenerate the area by bringing more people to live in the location and increase footfall during the day and in the evening.

"It will help to improve visual surveillance of our streets, and enliven our community."