A BUSINESSSMAN was stunned to learn that redeveloping his property would cost him 10 feet of land.

Steven Tapper, director of Tapper funeral service, hoped to replace the Living Stones stonemason shop in Christchurch Road, Boscombe, with a brand new shop unit and purpose-built flats.

But when his architect started working on plans, he discovered a development control line cutting right through a long row of properties on Christchurch Road.

This means that if any of the shop owners demolished their premises, they would be forced to rebuild them 10 feet away from the road.

Bournemouth council says the purpose of the control line is to give it extra land for vital highway improvements.

But it has no plans to compulsorily purchase the properties so the only way this could happen would be if every single business owner voluntarily surrendered 10 feet of land.

Independent councillor Ron Whittaker, who works part-time for Tappers, has taken up the case and is calling for a review of the borough's development control lines.

He said it was crazy to stifle redevelopment in an area that needed upgrading.

"It would be okay if these road improvements were actually going to be carried out but we know that that can't possibly happen because it would cost the council a fortune to buy all these properties," he said.

And Mr Tapper said: "The site is really crying out for redevelopment.

"At the moment the flats above the shop are very sub-standard."

Mike Holmes, head of planning and transport, said the development control line was one of many in Bournemouth's adopted local plan.

"These control lines are applied to certain sections of the highway network that the council has agreed need upgrading to improve road safety, assist the free flow of traffic and public transport, or where the road is considered substandard for its purpose," he said.

"Of course the council is keen to see the regeneration of the area, but has to balance this with the long term needs of the town.

"The control lines will be reviewed as part of the preparation of the local development framework in due course."