A PRIME town centre site that was once at the centre of a massive planning blunder could be transformed into a £40million landmark development.

St Paul's Square is intended to form a "gateway" to the town centre, creating up to 660 jobs and 182 apartments, 30 per cent of which will be affordable housing.

The development also includes plans for a multi-storey car park, gym, shops and a caf, all centred around a public piazza.

The proposals have been put forward by Rokscar, a partnership between Scarborough Development Group and Rokeagle, for land behind Asda and adjacent to the Wessex Way.

They follow a failed attempt by Bournemouth University chiefs to try and develop teaching facilities and student accommodation there.

The university spent almost £1 million progressing the plans but was forced to pull the plug after finding out about planning restrictions on the land and eventually recouped losses of £770,000.

Andy Goodridge, development surveyor for Rokeagle, said the office accommodation could be suitable headquarters for firms looking to relocate to Bournemouth and confirmed the company had already received two "relatively strong" inquiries.

He said: "We have been working on these plans for around a year and have had lots of discussions with planning officers. We wanted to spend the time to get it right.

"I think the plans are brilliant. The development is something we can really be proud of. It's a real landmark building."

And Steve Fidgett, of planning consultant Alliance Environment and Planning, said: "This is considered a gateway scheme for the town and the council wants a strong visual impression when people come into Bournemouth.

"The site has been derelict and under-used for the last 30 years. This scheme will be a major boost to the town in terms of regeneration."

Rokscar intends to submit a planning application at the end of this month and could start building work as early as next spring if planning approval is granted.

The planning restrictions that thwarted the University's plans will not affect this scheme because the section of land allocated for highway purposes will be left untouched.

First published: August 15