PLANS have been unveiled to redevelop the site of a hotel on Poole Quay.

MHA London has begun consulting neighbours of the Thistle Hotel ahead of submitting an application for its demolition and the redevelopment of its site.

The developer’s proposals include the construction of a new hotel with almost double the capacity and more than 200 flats on the “underutilised” plot.

Several previous attempts to redevelop the site failed with Poole council refusing a scheme in 2008 and three others being withdrawn in 2004, 2008 and 2009.

But the council then allocated the site for development when it finalised its local plan in 2018 with the aim of the land being used for a hotel and “approximately 180 homes”.

MHA has said it expects a planning application to be submitted in July having already begun consulting nearby residents on its proposals.

They include a “boutique” 120-bed hotel with a top floor restaurant and a bar which would be open to the public and replace the Thistle Hotel.

It said its aim is to “raise the standard” of accommodation in Poole and that “a number of operators” had shown an interest in running it.

Next to the hotel it is proposing four separate blocks with a combined 228 flats with 264 basement parking spaces provided.

It said it was also “exploring the potential” to build a community hub.

Andi Kercini, MHA design and development director, said the developer’s proposals were “a real winner”.

“Fisherman’s Dock – our name for the Thistle Hotel site – is probably the best location along the quay," he said.

“With a design of the highest quality and a range of uses that have something for everyone, we believe we can transform this underutilised site, which is allocated for redevelopment, into a prime destination.”

Six iterations of plans were drawn up by the developer before it put this scheme forward for consultation, presenting it to Poole Quays Forum in March.

A planning application is expected to be submitted in July and MHA said it expected a decision to be made by BCP Council before the end of the year.