RESIDENTS are being asked to share their views on the long-awaited transformation of a huge waterfront site in Poole which has been vacant for more than 25 years.
Public consultation is already under way for the 40-acre former Holes Bay power station in Hamworthy.
The site is described as the largest brownfield regeneration site in the south west and it was bought by BCP Council in a multi-million-pound deal two years ago.
FuturePlaces, the council-owned urban regeneration company, has been tasked with bringing forward recommendations for a “waterfront quarter urban village”.
Gail Mayhew, FuturePlaces managing director, said an “extensive” consultation process was in place to reflect the site’s importance to current residents and future generations.
“We have already been working with local businesses and community groups to find out what’s important in any future development at Holes Bay and are now looking to hear from the wider community,” she said.
“Our vison is to create an inspirational new waterfront quarter urban village for the community, creating new jobs, commercial opportunities and inward investment.
“With its proximity to Poole town centre, the commercial Port of Poole and neighbouring residential areas, the waterfront site has been designated as an important area for future regeneration and investment by the council.
“This is another big step forward with our ongoing engagement with residents, businesses and community groups - we want to bring forward plans that are shaped by local people; opinions and ideas matter to us.”
The power station closed 26 years ago and the site has been earmarked as having for housing potential for more than 20 years.
Previous plans for the land from previous owners, which had been approved by the council, were put on hold due to concerns about viability.
When the site was acquired by the council, initial plans were for more than 800 homes alongside ‘unlocking’ commercial and employment opportunities.
Work is anticipated to begin on the site in 2023/24, but it will take years for it to be fully built out. Details on how any project will be funded have not been finalised.
Due to the location of the former power station, flood defences need to be completed for residential development to be delivered on certain areas of the site, while the north-east shore of the land is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Staff at FuturePlaces have already held in-person consultation events, with between 350 and 400 residents attending the sessions at The Spire in High Street and The Cornerstone Academy in Hamworthy.
An online session is due to take place on Tuesday, November 8, from 1pm to 2pm. To register interest and gain access to the online event email HolesBay@wsp.com An online questionnaire on the design principles is available online1.snapsurveys.com/interview/860a8174-3c55-42ab-803e-22b0bbe6018f
A virtual ideas wall is available to share photographs, images ideas and comments at haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/holes-bay/brainstormers/holes-bay-ideas
Ms Mayhew said: “This is an opportunity for people to share photos and images of architecture, green space, public realm and building material that they have seen used elsewhere that they would like to see in the Holes Bay development.”
The closing date for the questionnaire and initial ideas is Monday, November 21. These will be used towards the master plan for the site.
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