A TOWN centre site in Christchurch could be transformed into a development of homes, commercial units and public space.

Aster Homes has been selected as the preferred bidder to transform the 4.74 acre Bargates site, which currently houses the police station, former magistrates court and car parking.

Police officers are due to relocate their base to Christchurch fire station to ensure a policing presence remains in the town.

Plans have been discussed for years by councillors and officers to redevelop the town centre site – at one time a supermarket was suggested as an option in 2012.

Landowners Dorset County Council, Christchurch Borough Council, Dorset Police and Crime Commission and the Hospital of St Mary Magdalene Trust, made the decision to select Aster Homes after a detailed tender process.

A public consultation will take place on the plans, before a formal planning application is submitted.

Amanda Williams, group development director for the Aster Group, said: “Our redevelopment concept creates an environment in which people can live, work, shop and play, and it will form a vital and vibrant part of central Christchurch.

“We’ve considerable experience of developing large-scale housing projects, creating homes to suit a diverse range of needs, and we’re keen to evolve and shape our initial concept to ensure it fully meets the needs of the local community.”

Initial groundwork and archaeological investigations are due to take place this month.

In a joint statement, the landowners said: "After an extensive marketing campaign by joint agents Colliers and Goadsby Commercial, involving a detailed and very competitive tender process, we are delighted to announce the selection of Aster Homes as the preferred bidder for the scheme.

"Aster Homes are one of the top housebuilders in the region, with a good track record of constructing high-quality schemes.

"We were impressed with the detail of their proposals and their enthusiasm for undertaking this development and we firmly believe that they will deliver a high-quality scheme that will significantly enhance the centre of Christchurch.”