AMENDED plans for the former C&A site in Bournemouth town centre feature bigger shops - but fewer of them.

The developer intending to transform the key site in the Triangle said he has adapted his plans as a result of retailers' demands and preferences.

And he is hopeful of starting work in the new year after completing a deal with Westbury Homes to build the residential part of the scheme.

The £25 million scheme will see the former C&A store redeveloped as Tregonwell Court, containing shops, homes and offices.

Planning permission has already been granted for the original scheme but new plans increasing the retail space by around a third have now been submitted to Bournemouth Borough Council.

Robert Kay, of developer Stallion Enterprises, said that instead of having eight shops, he now wanted to create four larger units.

"As a result of the two years we've spent marketing the shops for rent, we have decided to remove the arcade part of the development and create four large shops," he said.

"We found that the shops inside the arcade just weren't letting. Retailers want bigger units.

"We're going to build four shops about 4,000 square feet each on average."

He said he was "delighted" to have exchanged contracts with Westbury Homes, which is keen to start work on the 80 flats, 15 of which will be classed as 'affordable', as soon as possible.

"Westbury are anxious to start and I am too because I've had the property for two to three years," Mr Kay added. "We're all ready to go and, theoretically, the existing building could be demolished in the new year."

First published: October 22