WORK has finally commenced on a project which will eventually see a 14-storey block of 203 apartments introduced in Poole.
Five years after the old Poole Borough Council approved the plans, drainage work has recently been carried out on land formerly occupied by St John’s House in Serpentine Road to make way for the huge flat development.
When built, the apartment block will become one of the largest buildings in Poole.
The plans by Land South East Ltd will eventually see the erection of a block of 203 residential units comprised of 58 studio apartments, 92 one-bedroomed flats, 49 two-bedroomed and four three-bedroomed homes.
Residents will also have access to a fitness suite, two integral decks of parking providing 90 spaces, bicycle storage and a roof garden.
Prior to its demolition, the derelict St John’s House had become a magnet for rough sleepers and anti-social behaviour.
The former HMRC office block was eventually demolished in September 2017 and the site has been left cordoned off in the years since.
As part of Poole Borough Council’s original approval of the plans, work on the site must have started by a three-year expiration period.
A recent BCP Council report found evidence that drainage works had commenced within the three-year period imposed by a condition of the planning permission. It is understood delays associated with the pandemic restricted further works, resulting on work recommencing recently.
When finished, the building’s height would be just less than the adjacent Barclays House building on the George Roundabout.
A spokesperson for the developer previously said: “This is an exciting development for Poole town centre and for the local population.
“It will provide great living spaces and will be a fantastic opportunity for people to reside close to Poole town and its extensive amenities.”
Regarding the project status, BCP Council told the Echo: “Our planning team approved the application for this development in August 2017. We subsequently approved an application in July 2022 to carry out drainage works as part of the development.”
In 2015, the Borough of Poole adopted a new blueprint for town centre regeneration for the next three decades.
The ‘Poole Central Area Supplementary Planning Document’ allowed for the construction of buildings exceeding six storeys in Town Centre North.
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