BUILDERS have unveiled major plans to replace a building destroyed by fire in Bournemouth town centre.

Several homes and businesses were destroyed by a fire on Holdenhurst Road at the junction with Cotlands Road in Lansdowne in August 2020.

It took the fire brigade around ten hours to extinguish the fire, but despite investigations the cause of the fire could never be determined.

But now Poole-based developer Fortitudo wants to partially demolish the existing building, which was damaged by the fire, and replace it with six-storey student apartments.

40-44 Holdenhurst Road CGI (Image: Fortitudo/ARC Architect)

Fortitudo originally wanted to build the building 14 storeys high, but feedback from BCP Council said it would be “too tall and out of context” when placed next to neighbouring buildings – even though it is located opposite the Lansdowne high-rise area in the development plan.

Ultimately, Fortitudo settled on plans for 79 student studios as well as common spaces, including a bookable kitchen and dining room, work rooms, a lounge and a communal gym.

The Poole-based company said in a design and access statement: “Overall, the proposal is considered to represent an appropriate form of development consistent with the urban fabric of the area.”

“The development respects the mixed character of the area and delivers a carefully balanced and attractive development that provides much-needed student accommodation through efficient land use.”

Fortitudo has recently made a stronger entry into the student accommodation market, and in May the company received planning permission for new luxury student apartments on Hinton Road in Bournemouth town centre.

The project, called Rothesay House, is the Poole-based property company’s first venture into student accommodation, with the aim of building more than 1,500 units nationwide.

Inside, the new luxury homes will feature cutting-edge technology that Fortitudo hopes will increase the efficiency and safety of their residents.

Construction work has already begun and completion is planned for students to move in in the 2025 academic year.

A year after the Holdenhurst Road fire, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said: “The fire investigation report concluded that the fire most likely started accidentally in the kitchen of one of the flats. However, the exact cause of the fire is still unknown due to the extent of the damage.”

The BCP Council will make a decision on this planning application in due course.