MAJOR plans to transform three Sandbanks hotels into “world class” venues have been resubmitted by determined developers.

Ten months after they were refused, developer Richard Carr of Fortitudo has adapted his controversial plans to demolish the Sandbanks Hotel, Haven Hotel and the Harbour Heights Hotel in favour of new hotel and apartment developments.

The fundamentals of the proposals remain the same. The Sandbanks Hotel is proposed to be replaced by a new 171-bedroom luxury hotel, the Haven Hotel with three blocks comprising 119 residential apartments, and the Harbour Heights with a 38-suite ‘aparthotel’.

First submitted in 2017 on behalf of owners FJB Hotels, the scheme was refused in July last year by BCP Council’s planning committee on flood risk grounds after concerns were raised by the Environment Agency (EA).

Bournemouth Echo: CGI of proposed development at Sandbanks Hotel.CGI of proposed development at Sandbanks Hotel. (Image: Fortitudo)

Mr Carr says the new submission “resolves all the issues” previously raised by the EA, and that if approved the project would drive “a huge amount of investment” to the region.

In order to combat flood risks, the buildings will be elevated meaning the ground floors will be higher than originally planned. However, the height of the buildings will not change as architects have adjusted the floor-to-ceiling ratios.

Mr Carr told the Echo: “From a tourism point of view, we sadly lack decent restaurants and places for people to go. I also think the existing hotel stock is not what people want, people want larger bedrooms and more modern in-house facilities.

“This will be a great thing for Bournemouth and Poole because there’ll be a huge amount of investment coming in.

Bournemouth Echo: CGI of proposed development at Haven Hotel in PooleCGI of proposed development at Haven Hotel in Poole (Image: Fortitudo)

“Clearly there are a great many numbers of benefits for the area should this get approved because not only is it going to give the BCP area new world-class hotels, it’s going to provide a substantial amount of employment and be better for the environment because they’ll use less energy – it ticks an enormous amount of boxes.”

Local objection is likely to follow, however, with the Sandbanks Community Group previously spearheading opposition to the plans – resulting in hundreds of official objections.

Mr Carr concluded: “I’m not going to count my chickens before they hatch, but at the end of the day we’ve done everything we can with this fresh application to ensure it has the best possible chance of being approved.

“We can’t do any more other than put our best foot forward.”

Bournemouth Echo: CGI of proposed development to Harbour Heights Hotel in Poole.CGI of proposed development to Harbour Heights Hotel in Poole. (Image: Fortitudo)

Facilities proposed for the new developments include:

Harbour Heights:

  • A swimming pool, with sauna and steam room facilities
  • Luxury bar and restaurant facilities with outdoor terrace areas overlooking the harbour
  • Conference and function rooms

Sandbanks Hotel:

  • A spa with a gym, six treatment rooms, swimming pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi
  • Luxury bar and restaurant with outdoor terrace areas overlooking the harbour.
  • A specialist water sports unit
  • Conference and function rooms

Haven Hotel

  • A warden’s office for use by the National Trust
  • Restaurant and bar with outdoor terrace
  • Residents’ foyer with a concierge service
  • Gym with swimming pool and sauna