AMBITIOUS plans for 850 homes and a new public quayside have been submitted for the former power station site at Hamworthy.

Gallagher Estates and Lands Improvement Holdings, who jointly own the site, have lodged the application for their 'Newbridge Point ' development with the Borough of Poole (BOP).

The brownfield site has been vacant since the former Poole Power Station was demolished in 1993.

The plans involve a mix of houses and apartments on 13 hectares of land next to the Twin Sails Bridge.

Gallagher Estates managing director Gregg Wilkinson said: "These plans, following local consultation, would have a significant positive economic impact on Poole.

"We are pleased to have reached a point where we can submit plans we feel are market-facing for Poole and focus on delivering high quality homes which will include more family housing."

If agreed by BOP's planning committee the development could include a new central public park, which would also boast a children's play area and informal recreational space.

Floorspace at ground level for commercial and community uses along the new quayside are also included in the plans.

Developers also say the new network of streets would provide better links between Hamworthy, Poole Quay and Poole town centre.

Mr Wilkinson said: "We believe the retail and restaurant units will compliment the provision on the existing Poole Quayside, while there will be a focal green space for residents to enjoy as well as providing a link to the Eastern Quay.

"Newbridge Point will be a distinctive new neighbourhood for Poole, and the local economy would only be boosted by the increase in new residents as well as by the jobs that would be created during the construction phases."

In November 2015 Gallagher Estates and Lands Improvement Holdings withdrew an application for a mixed use development on the site – which included 1,350 new homes – claiming the scheme was "unviable."

One of the main issues which has stalled development is a 150,000 ton concrete cap which supported the power station's turbine, boiler house and chimneys.

The borough had been told it would cost millions to remove and fears were raised that this could make it too costly to develop.

However, BOP is aiming to secure £5 million from the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to finance infrastructure improvements, after cabinet approved the submission of a business case for the designated housing zone.

A final decision will be made by full council at a later date.