A CASH boost of almost £400k has been pledged by Bournemouth council to improve Boscombe’s Churchill Gardens, pictured.

Cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Jane Kelly, gave an update on work being carried out in the area at the full council meeting on Tuesday.

Cllr Kelly said an updated area management plan is being developed.

“The plan will set out the council’s plans for the management and improvement of the heritage of the area, including restoring original architectural features and improving the public realm,” she added.

“The plan will be completed this spring and £395,000 capital funding has been committed to enable our plans.

“We have invested £1.7m to date in the purchase and conversion of three houses in multiple occupation in the square, reducing the concentration of bedsits there by 10 per cent.

“In their place will be 10 family homes which are owned and managed by the council and allocated to households in need from our housing register.”