THE battle to stop 50 flats being built on the site of a former popular pub in Lilliput has been lost.

A government inspector has decided to allow developer Churchill Retirement Living to build the sheltered apartments in Sandbanks Road, where the 19th century Beehive pub once stood.

Residents packed the room at Poole Civic Offices where the four-day inquiry was held last month.

Borough of Poole argued the flats would be an over-development of the site, out of keeping with the area and would have affected protected trees. The developer insisted the plan would improve the surrounding area, not only by providing needed accommodation for elderly people.

Inspector Jane Stiles, in her report, writes: "It is an area of no particular merit.

"Although the site was not previously in residential use, it seems to me to be not inappropriate to increase the density of development on the site."

She added: "The proposed building would respect its context and cause no harm to the character and appearance of the host environment."

She believed trees would be, or had been, adequately replaced and protected.

Cllr Jeff Allen said: "It's a sad day for democracy when we have something foisted on us that we don't want.

"As usual an inspector who does not know Poole has made a decision. Planning should be about what the local people want."

Dave Jobbins, team leader of Poole's planning department, said: "I think it's an appalling decision. In my view this development will be out of character with the area."

He said the council is considering challenging the decision.

The inspector was brought in after Borough of Poole failed to reach a decision in the given time.

Despite residents' protests, the Beehive was pulled down three years ago and since then four planning applications have been withdrawn or refused.

Ms Stiles also allowed the developer to go ahead with 20 affordable flats on the site of an old petrol station in Wimborne Road, Oakdale.

First published: Sept 25