PLANS for more than 80 apartments and a new restaurant on a prime Bournemouth cliff-top site have been unveiled.

Taylor Wimpey is hoping to build two blocks of apartments and a ground-floor eatery on land at Priory Road and Beacon Road on the West Cliff, encompassing the former Bournemouth International Hotel and Ocean Palace restaurant. The site already has outline planning permission for three new apartment blocks and a replacement restaurant.

A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said: “Our proposals are quite different with the apartments proposed in two buildings. Community engagement is very important to us and we are keen to hear views and comments on the draft proposals.

“Outline planning permission has previously been granted for a new restaurant and apartments at 6-10 Priory Road but, having looked very carefully at the existing consent, we believe significant improvements can be achieved.

“We have therefore come up with revised designs which we believe will be far more appropriate for residents and the Bournemouth community as a whole.

“Their feedback will be used to help us shape our designs before a new planning application is finalised and submitted to Bournemouth Borough Council.”

The new scheme incorporates a two six storey buildings, a basement car park and nine holiday lets.

Commenting on the new proposals, deputy mayor cllr Phil Stanley-Watts said: “I think there still needs to be some fine tuning but, economically, I believe such a major scheme can only be good news for the town.”

An exhibition was staged yesterday at Bournemouth International Hotel.