A GROUP which wants to transform the former Bournemouth Centre for Community Arts into a community centre is planning to present its five-year business plan to the council.

Spokesperson for BCCA Friends Katherine Edgar said the project is well on track, having secured “100 per cent funding” and the backing of the community.

The group’s proposals will be considered along with other options for the site by Bournemouth councillors next month.

Katherine added that BCCA Friends is in contact with dozens of groups and organisations that want to use the proposed community centre.

They include several arts groups, theatre groups and a well-being organisation which wants to put its drug-free back clinic there.

The project has the support of Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood and ward councillors Linda Bailey, Mike Everingham and Phil Stanley-Watts.

Katherine said: “We have already got 100 per cent funding which means that we can cover our costs from what we already have without grants or other funding.

“Boscombe is one of the most deprived areas of the country so this will be very beneficial to the community.”

Boscombe East councillor Linda Bailey, said: “If they can pull it off it would be great. It was a very well-used community centre originally.”

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood said: “The council has the last word but I am encouraged by what I see. I think it would be a great use of the building which otherwise would be turned into flats.”

Deputy leader of the council Cllr John Beesley said that it was “unlikely” that the centre would become council offices.

“We know that the Friends have put a lot of work into developing their proposal and we want to give them every opportunity to produce a viable business plan. “We have to be confident that the proposed Boscombe Arts, Heritage Community Centre is self-financing so that the taxpayer is not left to deal with any shortfalls,” he added.