BOURNEMOUTH’S Lansdowne area is to be turned into a “major new business district” as part of a £19.5million boost to be unveiled by the government today.

Local growth minister Andrew Percy will visit the town to announce new money for Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The package also includes more money for the Orthopaedic Research Institute at Bournemouth University, intended to increase international investment.

Mr Percy will see some of the projects that are expected to benefit from the money, which comes on top of £79m already put into the county under the government’s Growth Deals.

Mr Percy said: “Today’s £19.5m investment will support the delivery of new homes and jobs right across the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership.

“These growth deals are a crucial part of our efforts to create an economy that works for everyone, and will ensure every region of the country has the chance to realise its full potential.”

The Lansdowne area is to be transformed through “a package of infrastructure and urban realm improvements”.

There will be further projects aimed at improving skills, creating jobs, building homes and improving infrastructure.

Gordon Page, chairman of Dorset LEP, said: “We submitted an ambitious business plan to accelerate economic growth across Dorset and are pleased to have been awarded £19.5m to deliver a range of projects to fuel long-term growth across the county.

“This vote of confidence by the government reflects our county’s economic potential and firmly places Dorset on the world map as an outstanding place to do business.

“We look forward to focusing on the important task of implementing these projects for Dorset and creating new jobs, stimulating private sector investment, driving business expansion and creating a better skilled workforce.”

The previous £79m of Growth Deals funding has already paid for several major projects in Dorset, including:

  • The £22m rebuild of the A338 Spur Road.
  • Buying equipment worth £700,000 for the Orthopaedic Research Institute.
  • Building an agricultural classroom, IT suite and workshop at Kingston Maurward College, as well as buying machinery including a fleet of tractors, plough and sprayer.