200-apartment development set for approval

Plans for more than 200 apartments on the site of the former HM Revenue & Customs offices in Poole are set to be given the green light, potentially paving the way for a wider regeneration of part of the town centre.ESRG Developments, through agent Tanner & Tilley Planning, has submitted an application to Borough of Poole Council for a development of 203 flats, to be known as Veneti Apartments.The scheme comprises a new building of between 12 and 14 stories featuring apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom properties. It will be among the tallest buildings in Poole, standing slightly shorter than the adjacent Barclays building.The site is currently occupied by a four/five-storey St John’s house office building that was previously home to HMRC. This will be demolished to make way for the new development.The proposals also include a gym, concierge and 90 parking spaces while amended plans submitted earlier this year also include four commercial units suitable for retail or restaurant use.ESRG has said the development would play a major role in the proposed regeneration of the town centre north area of Poole.The council’s planning committee will vote on the plans on 19 May 2016 with a report prepared ahead of the meeting recommending that consent is granted, subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement.