MORE than a dozen new family council homes could be built in Bournemouth if councillors give final approval to multi-million pound plans later this month.

At its meeting on June 24, BCP Council’s cabinet will be asked to approve £4.5 million in funding needed to build the 14 houses on the former play area site in Moorside Road.

Councillor Kieron Wilson, who oversees its housing work, said he was “really pleased” to see family-sized council homes coming forward.

The play area was closed by Bournemouth council in 2009 and planning permission was granted for the 14, four-bedroom homes in 2018.

But a legal challenge over the proposed closure of public footpath was not won by BCP Council until March this year.

Now approval of funding is being sought for the development.

A report published ahead of this month’s cabinet meeting says it would cost £4.5 million with the council having to borrow just over half of that sum. About one-third of the total would be covered by Right to Buy income.

It says the steep slope and sand base to the land “presents construction challenges” which increase its cost. There are also slow worms which would be moved to Millhams Mead.

Despite these issues, the cabinet will be asked to give its backing to the proposals when they meet on June 24.

The report says the new homes would be an “invaluable” boost to the stock of housing owned by the council and each would be fitted with solar panels.

“Providing more housing is a key priority for the council.,” Cllr Wilson said. “In particular, there is a big demand for larger-sized homes suitable for families and there can be a significant wait for this type of property.

“I am really pleased to bring forward the plans to develop this scheme which will contribute further housing to our council housing stock and provide local families with a fantastic home.”

There are more than 3,800 people on the housing register in Bournemouth with an average wait of eight years for someone in the gold band to find a four-bedroom home.

A final decision on whether the scheme and its funding is progressed will be made by the cabinet on June 24. It will be asked to give approval.