MAJOR plans for the development of three Sandbanks hotels has been recommended for refusal, however the developer has said he hopes “common sense prevails”.

Richard Carr’s plans for the replacement of the Sandbanks Hotel include a new 171-bedroom hotel, replacement of the Haven Hotel with three blocks of residential apartments and erection of a 38-suite “aparthotel” on the site of the Harbour Heights Hotel and were first submitted in 2017.

Now, after nearly six years, they are expected to go before the planning committee, with the recommendation to refuse permission.

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Mr Carr said: “The only reason is the Environment Agency, whatever happens the buildings are 3.8m higher off the ground than the current buildings, there’s a betterment.

“We can’t get to an agreement with the Environment Agency, they want us to build an 18ft wall in front of the buildings for a storm surge.

“Clearly that’s not acceptable for ourselves, nor would it be for the borough, if there’s a storm surge the water would come up Ferry Way and round the buildings but we can’t get the Environment Agency to see sense.

“We have spent tens of thousands of pounds on reports, we are not ever going to get to an agreement, but I must emphasise the point, should these plans be granted there is a betterment.

“If we were to be refused the dangers from flooding are higher.”

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Mr Carr said the plans would reduce CO2 emissions, turn five acres of tarmac into grass and help a “forward-facing borough”.

He added: “One can’t forget the best part of £150 million investment into the town which will provide a huge amount of construction workers jobs, then the hotels themselves would employ a substantial number of people.

“On top of that people in the area will have much better amenities.

“I am hoping common sense prevails that the benefits of the development for the borough outweigh the ridiculous stance of the Environment Agency.”

The Sandbanks Community Group have spearheaded a campaign against the plans since they were submitted, resulting in thousands of objections.

David Morley, of the group, said he was pleased they were recommended for refusal but wanted the committee to acknowledge the Haven Hotel site needed to remain a hotel.

He said: “You only have to look at that site to figure out the right answer on the flood protection.

“We think that’s a vindication of our strategy, flood risk is a point we have consistently focusing on.

“From the community’s point of view there’s this dedication to doing whatever we can to preserve a hotel on (the Haven) site.

“We welcome the recommendation to refuse it, we would like them go further and make it clear they don’t welcome the principle of losing the hotel.”

The plans will be put before committee at BCP Council on Wednesday, July 13.