DETAILS of multi-million pound plans to regenerate the centre of Boscombe have been made public.

BCP Council has begun consulting on its proposed bid for the government’s Towns Fund ahead of its submission later this year.

Included in its £25 million plan is the replacement of the Sovereign shopping centre and new housing developments while bringing back the Royal Arcade back into use as a new cultural and work space.

Bournemouth is one of 101 towns from across the country bidding for a share of the £3.6 billion pot with bids due to be submitted later this year.

As part of its plans to put together its plans for Boscombe, the council has begun consulting on its ideas in order to put together a finalised investment plan.

Included is the replacement of the Sovereign centre with “a contemporary mixed-use neighbourhood of streets and high quality commercial units and homes”.

The council has also proposed a new public square with a “dedicated programme of festivals and events”.

Work would also involve the redevelopment of Gladstone Road and Hawkwood Road for new family homes with Haviland Road “restored” and upgraded with more focus put on active travel options.

On top of this, the council says its proposals would “preserve and enhance” the Royal Arcade and O2 Academy buildings alongside the potential purchase of King’s Park bowling centre.

There are also ambitions to extend the 5G “smart places” pilot from Lansdowne into the area.

As a whole, the council’s plans would see 560 new homes, 6,700sqm of retail and leisure floor space and 4,800 sqm of commercial, community and health floor space created.

Cabinet member for regeneration, councillor Mark Howell, said the fund was a “rare opportunity to secure the major investment Boscombe needs”.

“If we win the necessary government funding, these ambitious proposals should realise Boscombe’s potential,” he said.

“The bid development process has shown what can be achieved when we work together with a focus on place-making and with future generations in mind.”

The consultation will be open until September 14 with a stall outlining the details of the proposals being run at Boscombe market on six days up to the date.

Following the deadline, a finalised bid will be submitted to the government.