PROPOSALS to build 56 new homes on a town centre car park currently used by council employees have been unveiled.

St Stephen’s Road car park, near to the Town Hall, is the latest site in line for redevelopment as part of Bournemouth council’s town centre master vision.

Council leaders hope the £10.4million housing scheme, which would see eight townhouses and 48 flats built on the site, would attract more families to live in the town centre.

The development could also include some affordable housing, aimed at key workers in the town centre.

The site is currently used as a car park for council staff on weekdays and as a public car park at the evenings and weekends, but Bournemouth council plans to reduce the number of staff that currently benefit from parking permits. Weekend and evening visitors will be encouraged to use other car parks in the area.

Leader of the council Cllr John Beesley said: “Building high quality new homes in the central location of St Stephen’s road will attract more families to live in the town centre.

“The development will help to boost further investment in the area, increase footfall and retail spend, as well as support local employment during construction.

“The Three Towns Travel improvements at nearby Richmond Hill are revitalising this key town centre route to enhance the local environment for everyone. We are focused on the importance of investing in strategic projects to encourage growth in the local economy and accelerate regeneration in Bournemouth.”

The plans will go before cabinet on Wednesday (JAN 28). If approved by cabinet members, the Bournemouth Development Company – a partnership between the council and Morgan Sindall – will submit a planning application in the summer.

The eventual aim is to start work in early 2016 with the first residents moving in by 2017.