IT has been partly demolished and derelict for more than four years.

But now, after going back to the drawing board, developers are taking another look at the site of the former New Inn in Christchurch.

A revised application by land owner Primetower Properties has been submitted to council planners for a two-and-a-half storey building containing eight flats, at the site where the former pub in Fairmile used to stand.

This is in addition to a block of six flats at the rear of the site, which was given the go-ahead in a previous application.

Numerous schemes have been put forward for the site over the past five years, including for flats and a bar, which led to the demolition of the pub, as well as a scheme for just flats and another unsuccessful proposal for 12 flats over a shop.

A planning statement from the developers said work had been halted over the years due to the ‘deteriorating economic climate’.

Nigel Cook, chairman of Christchurch Citizens Assoc-iation said: “I think that everyone will think that if the development is proportionate to the site, it will be a good thing.

“Whatever they build will be there for a very, very long time.”