A LANDMARK development near Bournemouth police station has been given the green light by civic planners.

Members of the borough's planning board endorsed their officer's recommendation to approve 82 flats and commercial outlets on a council car park site at Madeira Road.

Possible commercial uses include a public house, restaurants and cafes, takeaway, offices, shops and a gym.

Money raised by the sale of the site will be used to fund a multi-storey car park in the town.

The council's principal planning officer Stephen Davies described the scheme as "exciting" adding: "This site has been earmarked for development for many years."

Mr Davies said his initial concerns about the bulk of the development had been outweighed by the quality of the design and provision of affordable housing.

Board members heard how a car club would be run at the site for at least five years.

There will be a mix of commercial premises on the ground floor and one and two-bedroom flats above, with 25 affordable units.

A deputation for the developers stressed that the high quality mixed use development would reflect the site's "important gateway location and help regenerate the Lansdowne Road area".

One local resident had objected on the grounds of loss of car parking facilities and an oversupply of flats in the area.

Town centre ward councillor David Smith said: "This application has been a long time coming, I'm pleased it has finally got here.

"On balance, you could say it is slightly larger than we wanted but I think it will be a positive contribution to the area."

A move by Cllr Smith to approve the scheme was seconded by Cllr Roger West and carried by a unanimous vote.