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Proposed development to kick start town centre regeneration
Posted: 25/09/2011 at 8:36am
Release date: Saturday September 25
Early ideas for a scheme to kick start town centre regeneration were displayed in Bournemouth this week.
The Bournemouth Development Company (a partnership between Bournemouth Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments which will deliver much of the Council’s Town Centre Vision) has put forward the Leyton Mount car park as the first in a series of sites for development.
Architects and urban designers are confident their proposals, which include 60 apartments and a commercial unit suitable for a café or restaurant on the corner of Old Christchurch Road, will create greater vibrancy and trade in a currently underused part of town.
A share of profits from the scheme will be earmarked for improvements to Westover Road and lost parking is due to be replaced with a multi-storey car park at Madeira Road. At the same time the Council is drawing up proposals to revitalise Horseshoe Common, creating a more welcoming environment to visit.
Duncan Johnston, of The Bournemouth Development Company, said: “Just as the construction of new homes and investment in public spaces transformed Boscombe Spa, so the right kind of development at Leyton Mount, together with improvements that the Council is planning for Horseshoe Common, will breathe new life into Old Christchurch Road.
“Our proposals for Leyton Mount will act as a catalyst, encouraging greater and safer evening use of the Common and more of a balance between daytime and evening activity along Old Christchurch Road.”
The colourful design is for a crescent-shaped building with five storeys of studio, one, two and three bedroom flats. Final designs will be influenced by public comments put forward at this week’s exhibition and a planning application will be submitted in the coming weeks.
Leyton Mount is one of a number of core town centre sites earmarked for regeneration by The Bournemouth Development Company over the next two decades. Developments will each have a wider regeneration focus; aiming to increase the number of people living and working in and visiting Bournemouth and to rejuvenate outside spaces. Development of new university and commercial space, homes and shops will generate a profit share for the Council to reinvest in public space improvements and visitor attractions, which are considered key to the town’s future prosperity.
To comment on the Leyton Mount proposal email comments@bournemouthdevelopmentcompany.com
Ends.
Editor’s notes:
Additional quotes about Leyton Mount:
Nigel Hedges, President of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade, said: “Trying to see the common for the trees has seen Horseshoe Common forgotten and bypassed. With the right kind of sensitive, lived-in and living development, the sterile sub-prime Leyton Mount car park has the potential to bring new activity to this important area. It can once again be a focus for social activity, performance and picnicking families.”
Inspector Dean O’Connor of Dorset Police, said: “Horseshoe Common has become tired and at times a focus for antisocial behaviour. I’d support a development which addresses landscaping of the Common and creates opportunities to live and work nearby. By improving the design of the area and creating homes for sale or long-term rental we can create a community which takes pride in its surroundings.”
Public comments
The vast majority of people who attended the exhibition liked the ideas proposed for Leyton Mount.
Among the comments received at a public exhibition of the plans were: “impressive”
“I think it would be really helpful to bring life to the whole area, existing shops etc.”
“As with Boscombe Chine Gardens, these open spaces must be opened up and made more attractive and accessible to visitors and locals.”
“This will be a refreshing change and will be great to bring the area some life.”
“Looks amazing, especially the corner of the commercial unit, which will increase attention.”
“This area of Leyton Mount has long been an underused bit of Central Bournemouth. I am very pleased that the proposal will make a big contribution to the renewal of the area.”
Visit the links below for press coverage:
Town Centre Car Park Plans to be revealed
Bournemouth Daily Echo, 22 September 2011
New development to promote cafe culture in Bournemouth
Bournemouth Daily Echo, 24 September 2011
Plans to redevelop Bournemouth Centre
BH Beat, 3 October, 2011
Bournemouth regeneration exhibition
Visit Bournemouth, 20 September, 2011
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