Harry Redknapp's company to demolish Bournemouth hotel

The bulldozers will soon move in to flatten the Elstead Hotel in Knyverton Road after winning approval from BCP Council’s planning committee on February 15.

Residents and ward councillors attended the meeting to voice their concerns over the loss of hotel, leisure facility and increase in residents. 

Mark Elkins, coordinator of East Cliff and Springbourne Residents Group, said: “East Cliff and Springbourne is one of the most densely packed places in the south west of England.

“This application just makes that worse. The footprint is unacceptable to residents. Housing development should be taking place in less densely packed areas in the BCP area in the first instance.” 

Resident Anthony Irving added: “I am sad the hotel, which has an interesting history with union connection, might disappear.  

“A lot of people are going to miss the hotel and a lot of people will miss the budget friendly leisure card, including myself.” 

Ward councillor Sara Armstrong said there has been “a lot of distress” among residents affected by the demolition work happening next door. 

The apartment block will be art deco (Image: DOT Architects)

“There are too many buildings being demolished without the full understanding of the whole life carbon impact,” she said. 

“We should be prioritising the reuse and retrofitting of buildings and giving greater weighting to carbon footprint and for housing that is in reach and affordable.”  

Meanwhile, Giles Moir, on behalf of the applicant Pierfront Developments, said there was “no viable option” to keep the hotel and health club running. 

He added: “Despite the extensive marketing, there has been no interest. It has been proven the hotel is no longer financially viable.” 

He warned the hotel and leisure centre will “eventually close”.

Planning committee member Matthew Gillett said: “I downloaded the accounts for the hotel on Companies House. They have been trading as insolvent for a couple of years... it has been making a loss.” 

Planning committee chair Marion Le Poidevin said: “A lot has been made about the loss of leisure facilities, but can I remind us all that this is a private business.  

“They could shut, close down or bar them to residents at a moment’s notice.” 

The plans were eventually agreed on by a majority of eight vs two and will soon see an Art Deco block of 59 apartments with a residents’ gym and cinema in the hotel’s place.