A DEVELOPER has failed in an attempt to overturn the refusal of plans to redevelop a hotel site at Poole Quay.

A Government-appointed planning inspector dismissed the appeal from MHA Burleigh Poole Limited over the Thistle Hotel site scheme.

As reported, BCP Council’s planning committed rejected the proposal for 228 flats in four blocks, a new 118-bed hotel and multiple commercial units last year.

MHA Burleigh Poole exercised its rights to appeal and a six-day public inquiry, including a site visit, took place last month.

Planning inspector David Wildsmith published his appeal decision on July 11.

A report by Mr Wildsmith said: “I have found this proposal to be in conflict with a number of adopted development plan policies, and whilst these policies have to be regarded as out-of-date in framework terms, I am satisfied that they should still carry significant weight in this appeal, as they deal with matters of design, which is a key element of the Framework’s policies, and aspirations.

“My overall conclusion is that this proposal should be dismissed, as the public benefits it would give rise to would not be sufficient to offset the considerable weight which has to be given to the harm which would be created as a result of the proposal failing to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area.”

BCP Council planning officers recommended approval of the application but committee members refused the scheme for four main reasons.

This included that it would be out of keeping with the conservation area, the fact there was no affordable housing in the scheme and there was also concerns with the height and bulk of some of the buildings.

MHA Burleigh Poole said that it believed none of the refusal reasons were “reasonable or justified”.

When the application was out for public consultation before the planning committee refusal, more than 200 objections were lodged. The Poole Quays Forum group and Poole Town ward councillor Mark Howell were both outspoken critics of the scheme.

Earlier this year the Thistle Hotel was rebranded Poole Quay Hotel after a change of ownership.