DEVELOPERS have asked for permission to demolish an existing guest house in Christchurch and build a block of nine apartments.

H B Holdings Ltd want to demolish Castle Lodge in Lymington Road and build a block consisting of five two-bedroom apartments, two three-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom maisonettes.

The application also includes the removal of a section of a listen boundary wall to create new visibility spays.

The site currently has 11 parking spaces and the application proposes to retain all spaces.

A statement was also provided with the application on the risk of bats and barn owls.

The statement said: “The building is a well-maintained bed and breakfast property with no opportunities noted that could allow bats to access the property or trees.

“The garden is well maintained with cross cropped amenity lawns and ornamental borders. At least 50 per cent of the site is laid down as either buildings or hardstanding in the form of gravel drive and patio slabs.

“The property had an unattractive quality to bats as no bats or droppings were found in the roof of the property at the time of the inspection or evidence externally that suggests bats use the property.

“No access points were noted that would allow bats to enter the property. There has been no material change to the well-maintained site since the initial survey in November 2019. No evidence or opportunities for barn owls was noted.”

An arboricultural impact statement said: “Five trees will be removed to facilitate development.

“These are two small cabbage palms and a chusan palm at the rear and two Yews at the front.

“A risk of harm to the root systems of other retained trees during construction activity is identified and suitable protection measures and parameters for construction are outlined to ensure no adverse impact.”

Concluding, the application said: “It is considered that the proposed development will provide high quality apartments in a sought after location, and the proposal will improve and enhance the character of the area whilst complimenting the street scene.”