Vision for Bournemouth's former M&S and surrounding area

The area of Commercial Road and Avenue Road could be redeveloped to deliver around 550 new homes, with additional floors added to increase the height of key sites.

It is proposed that ground floor areas would be used for commercial and community uses.

A development brief completed by consultants on behalf of BCP Council details a framework for the “regeneration and transformation” of the area to “fully realise its potential”.

The 66-page document by Turley said the town centre area provided a “unique opportunity to deliver a vibrant mix of residential and commercial development”.

• Read more: Vision for new retail quarter in Bournemouth town centre

Commercial Road in Bournemouth

“The creation of this new town centre residential community will underpin the area’s transformation by creating well-designed and well-managed residential environments,” the brief said.

“Homes will generally be accessed at street level but will be principally accommodated on the upper levels of development sites above active ground floor uses.”

Turley’s work set out two scenarios for the development of the area, which could see “significant change” over the next 15 years.

The brief largely focuses on what can be done with the former M&S site, which has been vacant since 2018, Avenue Shopping Centre, Avenue Road car park, the area between Terrace Road and Commercial Road, including the NCP car park, and the Triangle.

• Read more: What should be done about 'dying' Bournemouth town centre

A new pedestrian and cycle link between the two roads is a key part of the vision

The consultants, who were paid £25,000 to prepare the brief, said a ‘mid rise’ option of six to 11 storey buildings was considered the most suitable to achieve beneficial regeneration.

It would allow a “significant increase in the density of development, while responding sensitively to the wider townscape and heritage context of the site”.

The brief said proposals for M&S and Avenue Shopping Centre should include an “attractive” public pedestrian and cycle connection between Commercial Road and Avenue Road.

Indicative concept layout plan. Picture: Turley/BCP Council (Image: Turley/BCP Council)

Additional floors could be added to both sites, as well as the Avenue Road car park and NCP car park area.

A report to BCP Council’s cabinet, which includes the brief, said the key elements of the document proposes are:

• Maintaining commercial and community uses on the ground floor
• New homes to the upper floors
• A mid-rise increase in building heights (up to nine storeys)
• Creation of an actively fronted public connection between Commercial Road and Avenue Road
• Improvements to the surrounding public realm

Turley carried out interviews and workshops with stakeholders, including land and building owners, the Town Centre BID, ward councillors and portfolio holders, transport figures and the council’s economic development, tourism and heritage leads.

Cabinet members will be asked at a meeting on October 26 to support turning the development brief into a draft supplementary planning document to go out for public consultation before it comes back to councillors for a decision over whether it becomes official policy.