PLANS to create a new community near Bearwood, featuring 800 homes, a 60-bed care home, and shops, are being unveiled to the public.

The proposed development, known as Canford Park, would be built on land off Magna Road. A planning application is due to be submitted in October by Poole-based developers W H White.

Outlining its vision, the company says it plans to create a “vibrant new community” that will provide a range of family houses, rather than flats. There would be potentially 320 affordable homes for first-time buyers in the development – “something rarely achieved in Poole and Dorset”, the company says.

The site has been allocated for a mixed-used development in the emerging Poole Local Plan.

The development would be situated next to the 44-hectare Riverside Country Park, which has already been granted planning permission.

It will also be based next to AFC Bournemouth’s new training complex, which will be built on the site of the former Canford Magna golf club.

At the heart of the proposed development is a community hub, which would provide a range of facilities, including small shops, business start-up units and everyday services.

A network of walking and cycle routes and bus services is proposed to encourage sustainable travel.

Members of the public will be able to view the plans in more detail at two public exhibitions this month, prior to a planning application being submitted in the autumn.

A spokesperson for W H White said: “The proposals for Canford Park present an opportunity for a sustainable new community and will help to deliver a huge area of open space for the enjoyment of the entire community.

“The proposals will also mark a significant boost to the many local people who are seeking to get onto the housing ladder and buy their own home.

“We hope to give the local community every opportunity to comment on the proposals through both the project website and our forthcoming public exhibition sessions at Bearwood Community Centre. The proposals are still at a formative stage, so this is a genuine opportunity to shape the Masterplan, as well as any future planning application.”

Public exhibitions take place between 4pm and 8pm on Wednesday, August 8, and Tuesday, August 21.