Published on Monday 16 December 2019
This week (Friday 20 December) BCP Council’s Cabinet will consider an ambitious programme to kickstart the sustainable regeneration of Poole Town Centre.
If approved, a master-planning exercise will be launched covering Town Centre North, Poole High Street, Poole Quay and the area surrounding the Twin Sails bridge. The objective is to create a framework within which the Council and developers can deliver a healthy, vibrant and enjoyable place for residents, workers and visitors.
Delivering high quality, accessible and safe urban realm and a pleasant experience is key to the programme.
Sustainability will underpin the vision with new development encouraging use of sustainable travel.
Councillor Mark Howell, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Culture, BCP Council, said, "We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver a revitalised and sustainable town centre. We want Poole Town Centre to be a place where people can live and work in a healthy and vibrant environment, and where businesses can thrive sustainably. A holistic approach will help to develop civic pride amongst existing town centre residents, and give investors and new residents confidence in the future of the area.
"If the proposal is approved we will work with local communities and businesses to develop the masterplan through a specific engagement programme. This will give residents, business owners and employees the opportunity to shape and influence the programme going forward."
A modern high-quality travel interchange including the possible relocation of both train and bus stations also features heavily in the Council’s ambitions for Poole Town Centre.
Councillor Howell, added; "For Poole to continue to attract footfall and external investment we must resolve the severance issues associated with Poole level crossing. The poor quality of Poole railway station and connections between the bus and train stations and the High Street are holding the area back, and these issues need to be addressed in the regeneration programme. We are working closely with Network Rail to determine whether relocating Poole railway station to the east of the existing level crossing is technically feasible and offers value for money."