A NEW council owned venture will drive forward a multi-billion-pound regeneration programme to spearhead BCP Council’s ‘Big Plan’ ambitions.

BCP Council has launched FuturePlaces, a wholly owned urban regeneration company to deliver the authority’s ambitions to deliver significant investment across the region. It will play a key role in supporting the council’s commitment to create 13,000 jobs across all sectors of the economy and deliver 15,000 homes at the highest quality at all levels of affordability for residents.

An initial 14 regeneration sites with a gross development value of more than £2.8bn will be brought forward for investment by FuturePlaces. Sites include the south west’s largest brownfield regenerative site at Holes Bay.

Cllr Philip Broadhead, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for development, growth and regeneration, and chairman of FuturePlaces, said: “Building on the strengths of our world class environment and natural coastline, we are delighted to launch our pioneering urban regeneration company, FuturePlaces.

“We promised we would move at pace with our Big Plan ambitions and within six months of setting the council’s budget we have brought in some of the UK’s leading talent in placemaking to create the capacity and skillset needed to drive a major regeneration programme.

“FuturePlaces has been created with the clear aim of supporting our vision for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to be a place where people and businesses want to be.

Bournemouth Echo: Aerial image of Holes Bay, Poole. Picture: BCP CouncilAerial image of Holes Bay, Poole. Picture: BCP Council

“We are already starting to see the opportunities this is unlocking with work on the ground due to start next year at Carters Quay, a scheme which will deliver much needed homes for local people whilst seeing our promise to rejuvenate Poole take action.

“We are determined to deliver economically vibrant but affordable places in neighbourhoods where our families have good livelihoods, and where our communities have a sense of belonging.”

FuturePlaces is already positioning Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole as one of the first local authority areas to adopt a stewardship approach, a model identified in the Government’s Building Better Building Beautiful Commission.

Gail Mayhew, FuturePlaces managing director, said: “Like many local authority areas, the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation has faced challenges with stalled regeneration sites and proposals that often fail to meet the quality needed to secure the potential of the amazing natural coastal asset.

“We will undertake comprehensive consultation and engagement throughout the design and development process for each scheme from inception through to completion, ensuring we translate the needs and wants of local communities into strong regeneration plans to deliver high quality placemaking.”

BCP Council will provide oversight and governance of FuturePlaces with decision making for site developments remaining with the authority.

The initial targeted sites include:

  • Beach Road car park
  • Bournemouth International Centre
  • Winter Gardens
  • Boscombe
  • Poole Old Town & Quay
  • Christchurch Civic Centre
  • Carters Quay
  • Poole Civic Centre
  • Turlin Moor
  • Wessex Fields
  • Cotlands Road

FuturePlaces will engage with communities and stakeholders through a variety of consultation and engagement techniques including design workshops, digital tools and exhibitions, working with stakeholders, community groups, residents and businesses.

Public consultation and engagement on the future of Holes Bay is due to start early next year.