OVER the last year I have for various reasons travelled to or through many towns of a similar size or smaller to Poole and I have been surprised to see many examples of redevelopment and building work of all kinds proceeding apace while back home very little seems to be happening.

Living here I clearly remember the times in the ’60s and ’70s when the town was undergoing the major changes that we all enjoy today.

These were the exciting times when The Arndale (now Dolphin) Centre was built along with the swimming pool, Arts Centre and various large housing developments. For several years Poole was in fact the fastest growing town in the country.

I am now therefore left wondering what is preventing the much-publicised regeneration schemes from making the leap from drawing board to work actually starting on site.

From memory these widely talked about projects include: n New hotel, restaurants and gym on the side adjacent to Asda at Lifeboat Quay.

  •  Hotels, apartments and commercial premises on part of the Sunseeker site at West Quay Road.
  •  Redevelopment of large site on West Quay between the two bridges.
  • Power station redevelopment site (this has been so long in coming that the hoardings around the perimeter have begun to fall apart and give a very sad perception of the aspirations to regenerate this part of Poole).
  • Town centre north including redeveloping the bus station site and providing new shops, homes and leisure facilities.
  • Redevelopment of the railway station and goods yard with new railway station, hotel, apartments and multi storey car park.
  • Thistle Hotel site for new hotel, apartments and restaurants. I have attended presentations of many of these proposals and I am left wondering if these much talked about schemes are just there to keep the architects, engineers and planners in a job or will any ever see the light of day?

If we could just have some of these projects started then the people of Poole would benefit from the jobs created along with new homes and facilities provided and the town would get a much needed economic and confidence boost.

It will be interesting to see if anyone can shed any light on the points I have raised.

PATRICK McDONALD, Address Supplied, Poole