CIVIC leaders have approved major plans for the regeneration of Bournemouth town centre over the next 25 years.

Cabinet members gave the go-ahead for the council to join forces with the private sector for the project, which forms part of the Town Centre Master Vision.

The move will see certain sites in prominent locations sold off and developed into shops, offices, homes and family attractions in a bid to boost the local economy.

A number of surface car parks have already been earmarked for the plans but the council has stressed that there will be no loss of parking spaces.

The council intends to use a regeneration company to develop the sites, with the search for a suitable developer starting in September and the final selection made in summer 2010.

Surface car parks at the Winter Gardens/Priory Road, Eden Glen, Madeira Road West, Leyton Mount, Glen Fern, West Hill Road, Durley Raod, St Stephens Road, Richmond Hill, Bath Road South and North, Berry Court, Cotlands Road, Central Car Park and the former Winterbourne Hotel and Beacon Road car park have already been put forward for development.

The recommendations were moved by the council’s deputy leader Cllr John Beesley.

Earlier he told the Daily Echo: “These are all sites which have been considered for development in the past. Identifying sites for investment now will help us find a good private sector partner with a long-term interest in Bournemouth.

“Bournemouth is a wonderful town but we can’t be complacent. We could sit back and do nothing and let the town centre decline or take bold steps to protect it for the long term.

“The only way to bring major improvements without impacting on council tax is to invest some of our assets and work with the private sector.”