A SIGNATURE building in the middle of Swanage, where people can live in upper-floor apartments with shops and a restaurant below, has been lauded as a way to bring the town a taste of the 21st century.

And the "inspiring" vision has been contrasted against the town's current signature seafront building - the Mowlem Theatre.

A decision on whether give the go-ahead for the demolition of the derelict Pier Head building and adjacent ice cream kiosk and taxi kiosk on High Street has been put on hold.

In their place it is proposed to have a building with two conical roofs at either end, which will house 12 apartments, shops and a restaurant.

Although the site is generally regarded as an eyesore, the development plan has been objected to by Swanage Town Council because of the impact it would have on the town's conservation area.

But Purbeck planning board has not refused it outright - and instead agreed to visit the site to get a better idea of what is proposed.

Addressing a planning meeting, the developer's agent Barry Chapman urged the council to approve the scheme.

"The decision you make may determine the quality of Swanage for decades to come. We agree this is a key site," he said.

"We believe here is a rare opportunity to provide a figurehead building worthy of the 21st century."

He said the combination of apartments and shops was a modern "life-work opportunity" development that offered the town a glimpse of the future.

Chairman Cllr Mrs Julie Wheeldon said: "The concept is extremely good."

Cllr Nick Cake shared her view but felt the development "destroyed the setting" of the nearby grade two listed Rookery building.

For Cllr Eric Osmond it was a "new, futuristic design to improve what has been a blot on the landscape" and he felt it would "encourage and inspire people".

The theme was expanded by Cllr Malcolm Shakesby who said ironically: "I mean the Mowlem - that really inspires - so there are blots on the landscape."

The planning board agreed to defer its decision until it had visited the location.

First published: October 5