Copper-clad hotel plan at Richmond Gardens car park, Bournemouth (From Bournemouth Echo)

"access to good quality facilities"

And those would be what exactly?

Being 50 feet from the drug infested Horseshoe Common? Or how about having all the clubs and associated anti-social behaviour, loudness, and drunken oafs on your doorstep? Or maybe he means the generic, faceless and boring parade of shops that is Bournemouth shopping? Or was it nationally-famous Imax "officially voted the ugliest building in Britain" cinema...? Or perhaps he's talking about the pot-holed roads that compare to Bovington? Although personally I think he's talking about my personal favourite 'facility' of Bournemouth... the tacky, dirty, horrible, bland, expensive, cheesy, disgusting, depressing sight that is 'the Waterfront', with the truly dreadful Aruba club; the crass merri-go-round; down-right ridiculous flight simulator; bare, flowerless and flag-less raised flowerbed; the overpriced Nestle stalls that are manned by some of the grumpiest people known to man; and the over-bearing façade of the Imax, with that ever-popular club, (now called) Coyote Ugly, (which, by the way, I went into a few weeks ago and I'm fairly sure I died a little inside. Can someone please close that place down?), the gourmet restaurant that is KFC, and that giant glass front.

The problem with Bournemouth is that there is nothing, and I mean nothing, unique about it. It has exactly the same shops, clubs, bars and restaurants as every other seaside town. Why do tourists come here (other than for the 4 day air show once a year)? Why come here when you could go to somewhere like Brighton where there is a wealth of unique and interesting shops, clubs and bars?

I just wish whoever is in charge of these things at Bournemouth Council would seriously consider the town as a whole and change everything about it... starting with the Imax. It really would be such a shame if during the next party conference, the Police 'forgot' to check it and it just happened to disappear in the middle of the night when it was empty...!

I think its a good idea. Should be quite an iconic building with great views. It is in a good location near the town centre facilities and with good access to the A338 Wessex Way. It is suited to this type of development and i'm sure will prove very popular. If you dont like it dont live there otherwise you'll get all stressed about something that needn't concern you. Take a deep breath and calm down.

Hope it all goes to plan, since I find it to be a rather exciting development.

Finally I must agree with Charley (who apparentely is from West Parley).
Even though I found that gargantuan string of text highly amusing to read, you should calm down, and perhaps re-locate if you believe Bournemouth is such a horrible place to live.

Just what Bournemouth needs, more empty hotel rooms, unsold flats and empty office space.

Just what Bournemouth needs, more empty hotel rooms, unsold flats and empty office space.

fairlylocal wrote:
"access to good quality facilities"

And those would be what exactly?

Being 50 feet from the drug infested Horseshoe Common? Or how about having all the clubs and associated anti-social behaviour, loudness, and drunken oafs on your doorstep? Or maybe he means the generic, faceless and boring parade of shops that is Bournemouth shopping? Or was it nationally-famous Imax "officially voted the ugliest building in Britain" cinema...? Or perhaps he's talking about the pot-holed roads that compare to Bovington? Although personally I think he's talking about my personal favourite 'facility' of Bournemouth... the tacky, dirty, horrible, bland, expensive, cheesy, disgusting, depressing sight that is 'the Waterfront', with the truly dreadful Aruba club; the crass merri-go-round; down-right ridiculous flight simulator; bare, flowerless and flag-less raised flowerbed; the overpriced Nestle stalls that are manned by some of the grumpiest people known to man; and the over-bearing façade of the Imax, with that ever-popular club, (now called) Coyote Ugly, (which, by the way, I went into a few weeks ago and I'm fairly sure I died a little inside. Can someone please close that place down?), the gourmet restaurant that is KFC, and that giant glass front.

The problem with Bournemouth is that there is nothing, and I mean nothing, unique about it. It has exactly the same shops, clubs, bars and restaurants as every other seaside town. Why do tourists come here (other than for the 4 day air show once a year)? Why come here when you could go to somewhere like Brighton where there is a wealth of unique and interesting shops, clubs and bars?

I just wish whoever is in charge of these things at Bournemouth Council would seriously consider the town as a whole and change everything about it... starting with the Imax. It really would be such a shame if during the next party conference, the Police 'forgot' to check it and it just happened to disappear in the middle of the night when it was empty...!

I couldn't agree more, well said that person. Who would want to stay at a hotel right in the heart of Old Christchurch Road. The area is full of anti social behaviour at the week ends. Yes build the complex by all means but remove the blight from the town centre first.

Probably the best way of reducing Anti Social Behaviour in an area is to introduce more pedestrian flow to it and to improve the buildings, architecture and the general state of the local environment.
It seems to me that this proposal could potentially do exactly that, particularly if some of the Section 106 "Planning Gain" monies that would have to accompany it could be specifically ear-marked for this (re-landscape Horseshoe Common so it becomes a nicer place for families to visit for example?).
If we just sit and moan about what we have at the moment, it will just decline. If we look at this sort of proposal as an opportunity to improve things and think laterally, we have the chance to make things better....

WestCliffCherry wrote:
Probably the best way of reducing Anti Social Behaviour in an area is to introduce more pedestrian flow to it and to improve the buildings, architecture and the general state of the local environment.
It seems to me that this proposal could potentially do exactly that, particularly if some of the Section 106 "Planning Gain" monies that would have to accompany it could be specifically ear-marked for this (re-landscape Horseshoe Common so it becomes a nicer place for families to visit for example?).
If we just sit and moan about what we have at the moment, it will just decline. If we look at this sort of proposal as an opportunity to improve things and think laterally, we have the chance to make things better....

"Probably the best way of reducing Anti Social Behaviour in an area is to introduce more pedestrian flow to it"

Isn't that the reverse of what is being proposed in Boscombe, where the introduction of the pedestrian precinct has increased the amount of anti-social behaviour, and is why locals want it removed?

Security words - slow-walk.

Cute!

dartguru wrote:

WestCliffCherry wrote: Probably the best way of reducing Anti Social Behaviour in an area is to introduce more pedestrian flow to it and to improve the buildings, architecture and the general state of the local environment. It seems to me that this proposal could potentially do exactly that, particularly if some of the Section 106 "Planning Gain" monies that would have to accompany it could be specifically ear-marked for this (re-landscape Horseshoe Common so it becomes a nicer place for families to visit for example?). If we just sit and moan about what we have at the moment, it will just decline. If we look at this sort of proposal as an opportunity to improve things and think laterally, we have the chance to make things better....

"Probably the best way of reducing Anti Social Behaviour in an area is to introduce more pedestrian flow to it" Isn't that the reverse of what is being proposed in Boscombe, where the introduction of the pedestrian precinct has increased the amount of anti-social behaviour, and is why locals want it removed? Security words - slow-walk. Cute!

Interesting comment. If you look at Boscombe Beach now that the regeneration is in full swing you will see far nicer people visiting the area and less anti social behaviour. I agree the pedestianisation introduced anti social behaviour but other things also added to the problem around that time including people flocking from all over the country trying to get jobs and houses down here and expecting the local authoirty to house them.

I have to ask...what benefit will this bring to the town centre? For starters its removing a good source of parking, be it quite expensive, that is utilised by a number of people when visiting. Also its creating another eye-sore that will have to be experienced by the workers and residents in the buildings surrounding the new structure, and any visitors. I fail to see where the benefit for this will be? I have to ask where the people who utilise the car park will have to go? The side roads are now charged and already congested, the other car parks the same, especially in peek periods. I do NOT agree with the new development and feel it will be another IMAX situation.

Every time , almost without fail, that a story to do with developing an area of Bournemouth this site is full of people telling me that this town is full of anti social behaviour and that it's got nothing going for it. The council, i am told, go out of their way to ruin the town and make life as unpleasant as they can for their citizens. Thats not my experience. Has nobody noticed our beaches ? They are the number one reason people come to this town, without them we are nothing.Then there's the pleasure gardens ,the oceanarium, the balloon, lots of places to get an ice cream, something to eat and a coffee. There are cinemas. open top bus rides, shows at the Pavilion, BIC and the pier theatre.We've got the New Forest , the Purbecks, Salisbury, Poole and Christchurch all within easy reach.
Ok, so The Waterfront building hasn't been a great success and the entrance to the pier is looking dated and tired.There are things that need sorting but there are things getting done such as the Town Centre Master Vision plan. If you're so unhappy living here go and find somewhere better and we'll get by without you. If you care so much about Bournemouth get involved and change things.Its not perfect but its a great town trying its best whilst contending with the ills of the modern world such as too much traffic, the drinking culture and the economy.

fairlylocal wrote:
"access to good quality facilities" And those would be what exactly? Being 50 feet from the drug infested Horseshoe Common? Or how about having all the clubs and associated anti-social behaviour, loudness, and drunken oafs on your doorstep? Or maybe he means the generic, faceless and boring parade of shops that is Bournemouth shopping? Or was it nationally-famous Imax "officially voted the ugliest building in Britain" cinema...? Or perhaps he's talking about the pot-holed roads that compare to Bovington? Although personally I think he's talking about my personal favourite 'facility' of Bournemouth... the tacky, dirty, horrible, bland, expensive, cheesy, disgusting, depressing sight that is 'the Waterfront', with the truly dreadful Aruba club; the crass merri-go-round; down-right ridiculous flight simulator; bare, flowerless and flag-less raised flowerbed; the overpriced Nestle stalls that are manned by some of the grumpiest people known to man; and the over-bearing façade of the Imax, with that ever-popular club, (now called) Coyote Ugly, (which, by the way, I went into a few weeks ago and I'm fairly sure I died a little inside. Can someone please close that place down?), the gourmet restaurant that is KFC, and that giant glass front. The problem with Bournemouth is that there is nothing, and I mean nothing, unique about it. It has exactly the same shops, clubs, bars and restaurants as every other seaside town. Why do tourists come here (other than for the 4 day air show once a year)? Why come here when you could go to somewhere like Brighton where there is a wealth of unique and interesting shops, clubs and bars? I just wish whoever is in charge of these things at Bournemouth Council would seriously consider the town as a whole and change everything about it... starting with the Imax. It really would be such a shame if during the next party conference, the Police 'forgot' to check it and it just happened to disappear in the middle of the night when it was empty...!

I agree with above!......spot on!

Fairlylocal – I thought I was grumpy at times, but you’ve excelled yourself! For all its faults, I still love Bournemouth. I was forced to live in central London for a few years, which was hideous. I’ve been all around the world and all over the UK – Bournemouth wins on so many fronts. Anti-social behaviour here is low key and easily avoided. We’re not in some graffiti ghetto full of stabbings and shootings. The worst things about Bournemouth wouldn’t come close to reaching the shortlist of problems in most of the towns or cities I’ve visited. Relax, enjoy the privilege of living in such a lovely part of the planet.

Ugly!