Neighbors furious over Harry Redknapp's plans to demolish hotel and build 'Wembley'

HARRY Redknapp has angered residents with his plan to demolish a seaside hotel and replace it with apartments “the size of Wembley Stadium”.

The 'architecturally significant' Elstead Hotel in Bournemouth, Dorset, will be bulldozed and transformed into a five-storey Art Deco building with 59 apartments.

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Pierfront Developments, of which ex-Spurs manager Rednapp and his wife Sandra are listed as directors, is advertising the apartments for between £200,000 and £300,000 each.

But dozens of residents have branded the project a 'cash grab', claiming the scale of the development is comparable to 'something the size of Wembley Stadium'.

They say the balconies will overlook their gardens and “invade their privacy”.

The local NHS Trust is also concerned about the pressure on the healthcare system due to the sudden increase in the local population.

If the development goes ahead, 45 hotel employees will lose their jobs, more than half of whom will be full-time.

I fear we are losing our historic cultural heritage, which is being replaced by mass-built flats using inferior building materials to maximize profits.

Local resident John Hill

Local resident John Hill said: “The height of the proposed structure is comparable to the size of Wembley football stadium with all the new terraces overlooking the back gardens and bedrooms of the nearby houses and their privacy will no longer exist.”

He added: “It would be tragic to lose the Elstead Hotel as it is a historically and architecturally important landmark in Bournemouth dating back to the turn of the late Victorian era.

“I fear we are losing our historic cultural heritage, which is being replaced by mass-built flats using inferior building materials to maximize profits.”

'DAMAGE MY PRIVACY'

Christine Brown, another local resident, said: “This development will block out the sun and plunge my house and garden into darkness.

“The balconies overlook my garden and invade my privacy.”

Dr. Speaking on behalf of the NHS, Colin Davidson said: “This population growth will have an impact on local NHS resources.”

Despite the objections, planning officers at Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole Council have recommended that the planning application be approved.

Pierfront Developments is run by Harry and Sandra Redknapp's eldest son, Mark, Jamie Redknapp's older brother.

In their planning statement, planners Chapman Lily said the scheme has been “carefully designed to maintain good relationships with neighboring properties”.

A design and access statement on behalf of Pierfront Developments states: “The proposal presents a sustainable form of development, contributing to the economic, social and environmental well-being of Bournemouth.”

The Sun Online has contacted Pierfront Developments and representatives of Mr Redknapp for comment.

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