MULTI-MILLION pound plans to transform an area of Poole town centre have been unveiled.

A new leisure centre and swimming pool, bus station, hotel and more than 400 new homes could be built as part of the council’s “ambitious” vision for the area known as Town Centre North.

The council would need to seek a development partner to bring forward the project, valued at £134 million, which would also include new commercial office space and improvements to public spaces.

As a major landowner in the redevelopment area, the council is looking to use its own assets, including Kingland Road car park, Seldown car park and coach park and the Dolphin Swimming Pool site, to deliver the scheme.

Cllr Ian Potter, cabinet portfolio holder for regeneration, Borough of Poole, said: “The council is ambitious for Poole and wants to create a vibrant town centre where people want to live, work and play.

“Our vision for the Town Centre North area goes beyond the areas within our ownership, extending to the bus station, bus depot and Brownsea House.

“We are making positive progress to bring forward our vision for this key area in the heart of Poole. These proposals are significantly larger than anything the council has delivered before, and in using our assets we can provide the catalyst for this redevelopment with a private sector partner and build confidence for wider investment in the town.”

The borough will seek to secure agreement from Go South Coast to include the bus station and bus depot land within the redevelopment.

Cabinet members will be asked to back proposals to carry out preparations to procure a development partner for the council’s scheme at a meeting on Tuesday, December 5.

Earlier this year, the borough appointed Deloitte to assess the viability of different aspects of the project and deliver a masterplan.

The preferred masterplan includes proposals to provide a traffic-free public space fronting Lighthouse, with space for bars and restaurants. It also includes the option to re-locate the bus station and build a new leisure facility and hotel at the Seldown Car Park site.

Julian McLaughlin, head of growth and infrastructure, Borough of Poole, said: "The redevelopment proposals for Town Centre North will provide a significant step change in how people will use this area in the future. The delivery of new homes, office space, improved leisure facilities and transport links will not only benefit local residents, businesses and visitors to the area but will help Poole prosper in the coming years.”