THE New Year will bring great opportunities for Poole however the redevelopment of Poole Centre North into another office and residential development means that a great opportunity to build something memorable, long lasting and unique will be lost.

The site is crying out to be a cultural and heritage centre, an offshoot of the National Maritime Museum perhaps; a place to gather, for experiences and a focal point for tourism in the town.

Do we really need “another” apartment block when so many are already on the drawing board. This is land owned by the town and should, it is considered, be used for the town. A new museum could be privately funded, be an architectural statement and a tourist destination. Our Poole museum is fantastic but small, this land could potentially provide the gravitas required to properly celebrate the town's heritage and culture.

The sell-off of other sites by Poole could be used to pay for a new pool whilst the museum will actually deliver a glow to the town as a whole. A development for the town in such a strategic location is something that could benefit everyone without costing the council funds. It is considered that this is a great opportunity to look to the future and to provide something that the town will be proud of and not another office/residential development which will look as mundane and dated as other developments in the town.

Meanwhile, the Society for Poole is always available to help this wider discussion.

MIKE PEARCE

Chairman, Society for Poole,

Haven Road, Poole