MAJOR opposition to the demolition of a Christchurch building believed to have been the home of a key Second World War engineer could fail in blocking redevelopment plans.

The scaled down Holten Homes scheme for 1 Twynham Avenue, which has been used as the base for Christchurch Chiropractic Centre, hopes to deliver a three-storey block of six flats.

Councillors on BCP Council’s planning committee are due to reach a verdict on the application on Thursday, some nine months after the expected decision date.

While 32 letters of objection and a petition signed by people 120 were submitted to the local authority, an officer’s report has recommended the outline planning application for approval.

Concerns raised by residents include the impact on established character of the area, overdevelopment of the site and the loss of significant building, which is believed to be the former home of inventor of the Bailey bridge, Sir Donald Bailey.

BCP Council planning officer Kim Bowditch’s report to the planning committee says: “There are significant benefits arising from the proposed development in terms of addressing housing need and no factor significantly and demonstrably outweighs this benefit in addressing the lack of housing supply.”

A previous application for 12 flats on the site was dismissed on appeal by a planning inspector earlier this year.

After examining the larger scheme, inspector Sophie Edwards dismissed the plan, stating it would "appear visually intrusive" within the street scene and cause "unacceptable harm" to the living conditions of people in a neighbouring property.

Ms Edwards also highlighted concerns that the parking arrangements would not be adequate.

Concerns over redevelopment of the site have not just been raised by residents, with the nearby Stour Surgery, with the practice manager stating the facility is at maximum capacity, with much larger housing schemes planning for the former police station site in Barrack Road and Reid Steel factory off Fairmile Road.

However, Paul Bloomfield, Holton Homes’ land manager, said fears about the initial scheme were taken into account when designing the six-flat proposals.

“We have redesigned the plan in line with comments from Christchurch Borough Council’s planning department.

“The area is categorised by flats, there is a block of flats opposite. It is a nice conservation area building that we are now proposing.”

Sir Donald, who died in Bournemouth in 1985, was the engineer behind the Bailey bridge.

It is recorded that Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery said without the bridge the Allies "should not have won" the Second World War.

During the war, a factory in Christchurch made components for the Bailey bridge and a section of one remains in place near the retail park off Barrack Road.