A MASSIVE residents' protest has swung into action to fight plans to build flats next to the entrance to Poole Park.

The proposals for a three-storey block of flats in the heart of the Poole Park Conservation Area have sparked 81 letters of protest from concerned residents.

The same proposal for 68 Twemlow Avenue was turned down by councillors last year but the subsequent appeal was only narrowly dismissed on a technicality.

And with the planning inspector generally supportive of the plans, residents fear the worst when they come before councillors for a second time tomorrow

Chris Watkins, chairman of the Orchard Area Residents' Association, said they were determined to do everything they could to oppose the application to demolish the existing house and build five flats in its place.

"We've never had so much support on any single issue," he said. "It's not as though we are against redevelopment in principle, just not this, and not when it's adjacent to a Victorian pillared feature entrance to Poole Park.

"We expect a lot of local residents will want to be there on Thursday to stand up and be counted and we urge them to do so," he added. "We can't believe these flats can be considered to be in keeping with the character of the area, something which is supposed to be an important planning guideline.

"Can you imagine the precedent this will set? The houses along that edge of the lakeside will all be redeveloped next year and we'll be looking at more skyline blocks like Sandbanks peninsula."

A spokesperson for developers Primetower Properties Ltd said residents' fears were unfounded. "It's an isolated corner site and I don't think there's any chance of it being a precedent," he said.

"We know all the residents have been against us but we're simply following current government policy to make best use of the land.

"We hope that the council find in our favour but if they don't follow what the appeal inspector has said, then we will be appealing."