A HISTORIC building that has served as an army drill hall and as an auction room is about to be given a new lease of life as luxury housing.

Don James, of Redmart Developments, has pledged to turn the Holdenhurst Road property into a "landmark building" for the town.

And he said the firm was intent on retaining both the original faade and original features, including the foundation stone laid on December 14 1895.

The property was bought at auction for just under £1million and has planning permission for 14 new properties.

But the original permission also allows for the building to be completely pulled down - something Redmart Developments is reluctant to do.

Mr James said: "This to me is a historic building in Bournemouth. How on earth they gave permission to pull it down, I have no idea."

The company has submitted a new planning application requesting permission to build six luxurious flats at the front of the site facing Holdenhurst Road and a glass atrium leading to three flats behind.

The developer hopes to build a further five town houses at the back of the plot, bringing the total cost of the project, including the cost of purchasing the site, to £2 million.

"It's the same number of properties but this way we are able to preserve the building, which is what we are concerned about," said Mr James.

"We want to bring the original facade back to its original condition.

"It's a wonderful building and when this is done, it will be one of the nicest buildings in Bournemouth.

"It will be a building that Bournemouth can be proud of."

First published: October 13