Proposals for almost 400 purpose-built student flats, which could free up family homes in Bournemouth suburbs, have gone on show.

The draft plans for the Madeira Road West car park in Bournemouth town centre include three blocks of student housing that could accommodate up to 378 Arts University college students.

They would also see a seven-storey, 400-space car park built on the site, to replace parking lost with the redevelopment of Leyton Mount.

As well as potentially combating the “studentification” of Winton, Moordown and Charminster, the scheme is also being billed as a key step in revitalising the Lansdowne.

Inspector Dean O’Connor, of Dorset Police, said: “With empty office blocks, shops and some tired frontages, the Lansdowne has somewhat lost its identity and has become a focus for anti-social behaviour and a place where vagrants gather.

“Increasing the number of students living, studying, shopping and socialising in this area will be the start of a positive spiral of regeneration.”

Professor Stuart Batholomew, principal of AUCB said they had long been looking for a greater town centre presence. They currently have halls of residence accommodation for just 100 of its 1,000 first year students.

“With 10 applicants per place, we have some of the country’s most talented and hard-working students. Many choose to stay and work here after graduation and, by ensuring students are an integral part of our community, we hope all will become ambassadors for the town,” he said.

The multi-million-pound proposals have been put forward by the Bournemouth Development Company (BDC), a partnership between Bournemouth Council and Morgan Sindall Investments.

Duncan Johnston, of the BDC, said: “The universities and their students are an important part of our community; they contribute around £200million a year to the local economy and their success is recognised internationally.

“Enabling our universities to compete with other cities by providing the highest quality student accommodation will be vital for the town’s prosperity.”

The student development would be four storeys high at the western, residential end to seven storeys high at the eastern end. Access would be from a path at the back of the building next to the Wessex Way and the accommodation would benefit from 24-hour security.

A planning application is expected soon.