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DWARFED: This photograph, taken in 2003, shows the inn which has also been known as the Flying Boat and warehouse and shop dwarfed by the new development

COUNCILLORS are being urged to throw out controversial plans to demolish the Poole Pottery warehouse and shop building on the Quay and the neighbouring Swan Inn.

A proposed major scheme would see a block of flats up to eight storeys high built in place of the popular tourist attraction and historic pub building.

But planning officers are calling on councillors to reject the scheme tonight, saying it would be "gross overdevelopment" of the conservation area.

And they warn the project does not justify the "unacceptable" demolition of the Edwardian pub decorated with local tiles, one of the few such buildings left in Poole.

The scheme submitted by Skelton Group Poole would see 96 apartments in a block rising from four to eight storeys, with shops, offices and cafes below.

It would sit between the controversial Dolphin Quays complex and the tower block, Drake Court, and could include a new Poole Pottery outlet.

But residents in both blocks fear they will be overshadowed by the new development.

One objector said: "The proposed development will be so close to Dolphin Quays and Drake Court that our privacy will be severely compromised."

Dolphin Quays resident Simon Carden added that the proposals were "opportunistic, ill-considered and ill-conceived".

In a report to the Borough of Poole's planning committee, officers warn: "The scale of this unrelieved mass would be very dominant, particularly intrusive in the street scene and detrimental to the character of the conservation area."

Currently there is no provision for any affordable housing in the scheme, which officers say is contrary to the Poole Local Plan.

There have also been strong objections to the demolition of the former pub, although the applicants suggest a section of tiled façade could be moved to the new development.

Denis Gahagan from the Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society said: "We believe that the Swan Inn is of considerable national and local historic and aesthetic interest.

"This is especially so because it is the only remaining physical link with Poole's brewing history - as made strikingly clear in the fine decorative tile panels on the façade."

Kathryn Ferry from the Victorian Society added: "It would be a great loss if the one remaining building worthy of conservation in this designated conservation area' was to be demolished."

Town centre resident Dean Molver told Poole council: "How can you let any more of the real Poole be knocked down? The Swan is a lovely building. People admire it when the coaches stop outside it.

"You don't see people taking photos of Dolphin Quays, do you?"

Another key problem identified was lack of parking, which officers warn would put increased pressure on nearby facilities.

Although the flats in the new scheme would have cycle storage, there would be basement parking for only 80 cars, less than one space for each of the mainly two-bedroomed flats.

No parking has been set aside for either staff or customers using the shops or cafes on the ground floor.

In 2005, the Skelton Group joined forces with the Ravine Investments consortium, headed by local businessman Richard Carr, to buy the 27 commercial units at Dolphin Quays from the receiver for £10.6m.

A year later, Skelton submitted plans to develop the neighbouring site at Old Orchard.

l Councillors on BoP's planning committee are set to consider the proposals at the Civic

7:00pm Wednesday 18th July 2007

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