FINANCING regeneration projects across Bournemouth and Poole is a “significant hurdle”, a senior council officer has said, but hinted there is light on the horizon.
Amena Matin, director of investment and development at BCP Council, has set out in a report what could come for a number of projects.
It includes high profile regeneration projects such as the Holes Bay power station site, Winter Gardens and the BIC.
The former power station in Hamworthy, currently empty wasteland, has been earmarked for housing since it was bought for £14.65million in 2020.
So far, nothing has come to fruition. But Ms Matin said the council is preparing a brief that will help secure a vision for the site.
She said since Labour’s general election win, Homes England has been tasked to explore large scale regeneration sites, prompting fresh hopes of government investment for the site.
The senior officer added Homes England has secured “significant” financial and technical resources to undertake due diligence.
This paves the way for a clearer understanding of what can happen next later this year, Ms Matin added.
On Winter Gardens, planning consent for the £150million homes, leisure and social spaces scheme has lapsed.
But the senior officer said the scheme’s viability is “challenged” because of the current planning and market conditions.
She added: “Work is ongoing to develop a revised business plan which addresses the current priorities for Bournemouth Development Company and ensures a delivery strategy is agreed for all sites currently in scope or where there is an opportunity to reconfigure and package alternative sites.
“The aim is to have a delivery plan in place by March 2025, subject to cabinet approval.”
Muse Development Investments Limited, a company appointed as the development managers for the site, is said to be developing a feasibility study for BCP Council to form the basis of a new planning application.
And proposals for the BIC could be a “catalyst for transforming the hotel accommodation and leisure offer in the town centre”, the senior officer said.
She added: “Recognising any proposals will need significant external funding, the investable proposition is being developed and will be considered by cabinet in March 2025.
“Conversations are ongoing with BH Live about their existing lease tenure and if they wish to bring forward proposals to invest and optimise the current offer, including expanding the capacity of the Windsor Hall.”
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