DEVELOPERS have vowed to work with disgruntled neighbours upset with plans to build three blocks of flats to pay for the multi-million pound refurbishment of a Christchurch hotel.

The owners of the Grade II listed Avonmouth Hotel in Mudeford plan to restore the historic building, which was built in the 1830s, back to its former splendour.

Residents have welcomed the scheme, but have raised concerns about the construction of one four-and-a-half storey and two three-and-a-half storey blocks of flats in the hotel grounds, which have been included in the plans.

The managing director of The Avonmouth Adam Terpening said: "It's no surprise and we anticipated there would be some concerns, but we want to work with the local community to try and come up with a suitable solution. We want to work with local people and our neighbours."

Secretary of Stanpit and Mudeford Residents' Association John Tompsett revealed that the group has written a letter to the borough council outlining the concerns of some of its 2,000 members, including the felling of mature trees, drainage and that the flats might overlook nearby homes.

But he added that the residents association has not raised an "out and out objection" to the plans and was eager to work with the developers to resolve the group's concerns.

"Doing up the hotel is to be encouraged," he said. "But there are concerns with the flats and not just that they seem to be very large and appear to dominate the skyline.

"It is a large development, so it's bound to cause some concerns."

The 17 luxury apartments will be housed in a trio of oval shaped "pods", clad in timber and glass, which the developers plan to erect on the site of a detached chalet block, belonging to the hotel. Planners say they do not expect the plans will be presented to the borough council before December.

The three star harbourside hotel was bought 18 months ago for £4.4 million by a consortium headed by football agent Dennis Roach.

First published: October 29