CONSTRUCTION work on a major development will begin later this summer. 

Fortitudo won permission from town hall planners back May 2022 to build an eight-storey block of 118 one- and two-bedroom apartments on the corner plot of Longfleet Road and Parkstone Road. 

The Poole-based property developer has already demolished the site home to the former Trethowans Solicitors to make way for the £24m project. 

But for some time, the site has been quiet. 

Richard Carr, chief executive of Fortitudo, has confirmed to the Echo that he hopes work will begin in July, following a planning application recently submitted with some minor amendments. 

The 118 apartments approved are in the form of 91 one-bed and 27 two-bed units. 

An underground car park is also planned for the site, providing 69 parking spaces (including two disabled bays) and 152 cycle parking spaces – with additional 12 cycle spaces for visitors on the site’s surface. 

Mr Carr previously said the development would provide starter homes in the Help to Buy category. 

Originally submitted plans were for 122 homes, however this was reduced slightly following feedback. 

The plan received a mixture of positive and negative comments from residents.