Plans to build new flats and medical centre on Boscombe car park

This is what is being proposed by BCP Council to transform part of Boscombe with a regeneration programme.

Plans to build on the Hawkwood Road car park have been lodged and will also include retail kiosks and even a community pavilion.

However, the scheme would mean the loss of 353 car parking spaces, as the area would be built over,  and just 51 spaces would be left.

According to documents submitted by the council, three blocks would be built comprising 68 flats - 22 one-bedroom units, 16 two-bed and 30 three-bed. 

Block A would be a four-storey building with a surgery on the ground floor and 28 apartments, some of which would be affordable.

Block A CGI (Image: Snug Architects/BCP Council)

The medical centre would have 20 consulting rooms which a “local GP has expressed interest in”. 

Next to block A there would be a new park called Hawkwood Gardens, dubbed a “green oasis”, as well as a pavilion building.

Read more: Van set on fire 'deliberately' in Hawkwood Road car park in Boscombe

Meanwhile, Block B would contain 18 flats - a mix of one, two and three-bedroom properties - and Block C would be five storeys with 22 apartments. 

The council also wants to build a community centre, which the charity Boscombe Community Hall would run. 

Community centre CGI (Image: Snug Architects/BCP Council)

However, the WH Smith unit would be torn down to make way for a new pedestrian path between Hawkwood Road and Christchurch Road. 

Boscombe councillor George Farquhar said he was unsure whether the loss of car parking spaces was a good idea for the seaside town, given how many people need it during the summer months.

He added: "Boscombe has been promised a regeneration for a long time and a medical centre is always appreciated because we are a growing population.

"A community centre has also been missing from Boscombe for some time."

He added: "My preference would have been to redevelop the North Road site, but that opportunity has come and gone," referring to shelved plans.

Cllr Patrick Canavan added: "The benefits of a community centre are considerable. But we need to take into consideration the views of the residents when it comes to the car park."

A consultation was sent out to residents asking for their thoughts on the project.

Block C CGI (Image: Snug Architects/BCP Council)

According to the council, respondents were “concerned” about losing parking spaces. It said: “Respondents felt that new homes would require more parking rather than less while impacting on the current resident’s ability to park on-street. 

“The reduction in parking would also dissuade people from visiting and using the local shops.” 

The proposals form part of the regeneration programme of Boscombe, which is funded with a £21.7m from the government’s Towns Fund. 

Hawkwood Road main car park

Other projects include the controversial regeneration of the Royal Arcade, Toft Box business park (shipping containers on the beachfront) and a high street revamp. 

A decision has not yet been made on the proposal.