THE long-awaited renaissance of Poole’s largest and most important regeneration site has come a step closer with a public exhibition by the landowners.

Residents and local groups turned out in force to discover the ideas and vision for the 32-acre former power station site at Hamworthy.

Greeted at the exhibition at St Michael’s Church hall with displays showing a master plan for the site, through which the link road to the new Twin Sails Bridge travels, the emphasis was on getting residents views.

“Nobody would disagree it needs redevelopment,” said Daniel Innes, spokesman for the Gallagher Estates, Lands Improvements Holdings joint venture.

“We want to make sure it’s the right thing for Hamworthy,” he said.

The masterplan divided the land, which has two waterfronts, into five distinct areas, the quayside, urban village, North Shore, Hamworthy Quarter and retail community.

Having taken on board consultation on previous plans for the site, which were subsequently withdrawn, they propose 1,150 to 1,350 homes ranging from one-bed apartments to family houses.

There will be affordable housing and the possibility of two landmark feature buildings, beside the bridge and at the bend in the Back Water Channel, and possibly a supermarket on the electricity sub-station site.

“On the quayside we want to know if people want a vibrant busy waterfront or a walk-through,” he said. Questionnaires were being filled in and they aim to return in September with proposals and present a planning application in October.

Praise for the public consultation came from Cllr Brian Clements, chairman of the economy overview and scrutiny committee and Twin Sails champion.

“I am very glad to see them doing extensive consultation. That’s very important,” he said.

Resident Keith Chick, chairman of the Friends of Hamworthy Park, said he would like to see a Morrisons supermarket included. “With all this housing coming on stream we are going to need more supermarkets. You have got to have the infrastructure to go with it.”