Redknapp company bidding to redevelop hotel site

A property development and investment company, which numbers football manager Harry Redknapp among its directors, looks set to secure approval to redevelop a Bournemouth hotel as apartments.Pierfront Developments, which is run by Redknapp’s eldest son, Mark, wants to demolish Elstead Hotel to make way for a block of 59 apartments.A residents’ gym and cinema are also included in the plans. Of the flats, 22 would have one bedroom and 37 two bedrooms.The three-storey hotel has 54 bedrooms and 100-covers restaurant with a bar for guests.Proposals have sparked objections, with the local council receiving 28 letters and the application called in by councillors.Concerns include the quality of the proposed build, privacy of residents and the loss of an asset of “immense community value”.Despite this, Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole Council planning officials have recommended granting permission for the development.A report for the committee added: “The public benefit of 59 residential units into the area which cannot demonstrate a sufficient housing supply provision, outweigh the loss of the existing hotel.”Former football manager Harry Redknapp managed Tottenham, Portsmouth and West Ham amongst other teams.His son Mark is the older brother of former professional footballer Jamie Redknapp, who is now a Sky Sports pundit.Planners will decide on the application at a meeting on Thursday (15 February).