Residents of Sandbanks have raised the money to officially launch a rival plan for the historic Haven Hotel site to prevent three blocks of flats being built there.
A crowdfunding page has so far received double the target amount of £15,000 to cover architects fees and ancillary costs.
Sandbanks Community Group (SCG) says that having battled against the flats scheme for over six years they now have one chance to provide an alternative scheme of a replacement hotel instead of flats.
More than 6,000 letters of objection, and an online Save Sandbanks Facebook campaign against the flats was set-up before planning permission was rejected last summer.
However, an amended scheme was submitted to BCP Council which is yet to be determined.
As a result, SCG embarked on its own plans, commissioning top architect Philip Gumichdjian to produce a rival plan, named Project Marconi.
A number of hotel groups are said to be interested in backing the scheme by entering into negotiations with the owners if the SCG plans get the go-ahead.
The rival scheme retains the site’s mature trees and the hotel with all associated facilities, employment and business opportunities.
Crowning the proposed hotel will be a tower of suites topped by a beacon lighting the entrance to the harbour.
It’s described as a fitting nod to Marconi and his radio mast which stood in the same location over 130 years ago.
Norman Allenby-Smith, Chairman of Sandbanks Community Group, said: “This scheme will add significant utility and value to residents and visitors to the peninsula.
“It appears to be lower impact in environmental and sustainability terms than previous proposals and will doubtless become a much-needed iconic harbour entrance.
“A natural rival to the great Sydney harbour approach.”
