Agenda item

This report provides an update on activity carried out by the Investment & Development directorate since it was formed in November 2023, with a particular focus on the three priority regeneration projects of Holes Bay, Dolphin Leisure Centre and Bournemouth International Centre & Winter Gardens.

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. The Board was advised that the report provided an update on activity carried out by the Investment & Development directorate since it was formed in November 2023, with a particular focus on the three priority regeneration projects of Holes Bay, Dolphin Leisure Centre and Bournemouth International Centre & Winter Gardens.  An advisory panel had been established from the previous non-executive directors of FuturePlaces. There had been a decision to decouple the BIC from the Winter Gardens and each of these sites would need to be moved forward with partners for each of the sites. The Dolphin Leisure Centre was coming to the end of its life. The only way to achieve the building of a new leisure centre would be through cross funding with property development. The Board raised a number of issues in the subsequent discussion, including:

·     Holes Bay – Environmental noise issues within the site due to proximity to the switching station. It wasn’t considered that this was a significant issue and developing the site out in stages may lead to a position where it could be removed in future.

·     BIC/Winter Gardens – The options for the site included the improvement of the existing facility in conjunction with the views of the current operator, BH Live who had an operating lease until 2035 or a more ambitious plan which could be sold to an external provider. Renovations would lead to discussion with BH Live regarding an extension of the current lease. The Board raised issues concerning how the process would move forward for each site in the now decoupled state. It was noted that this was a Bournemouth Development Company Project, and the Council would work with MUSE to move this forward. There was an existing precedent for Planning Permission but it was expected that there would be less commercial requirements in the area. The alternative option for the Winter Gardens Site would be to consider it as part of a number of sites within the Town Centre to offer to developers. The procurement aspect of this process alone would be around 2 years. The BIC situation was still in very early stages.

·     Dolphin Centre – Issues concerning current parking arrangements were raised. It was suggested it should be included as a package with Leisure Centre entry. It was noted that not everything had been harmonised in the parking harmonisation Briefing for Ward Councillors and Neighbouring Wards. Potential blocks for understanding the relative costs of the scheme and financial constraints. The specification and design the Council may have to contribute additional capital.

·     The Board enquired about the governance arrangements for the future development sites, previously there was a FuturePlaces working group. The investment advisory panel was formed from previous FuturePlaces non-executive directors and provided an informal sounding board acting as a critical friend and providing links and expertise as appropriate.

·     Development on Winter Gardens can concentrate efforts on a new winter gardens scheme but within the twin track. Draft local plan limits development to 7 storeys. The second option was an opportunity to package up a number of sites within the Town Centre area to offer to developers the procurement aspect of this process alone would probably be 2 years.

·     Affordable / Social Housing – The Board asked about provision on the BIC/Winter Gardens site. It was noted that the real opportunity would be on the Holes Bay Site. Provision of further social housing would be welcomed. However, it was noted that provision of any housing was important for local delivery. The Dolphin Centre site was not within the Housing Team’s location plan for delivery and this combined with the need to make delivery of the leisure centre affordable provision of social housing at this site seemed unlikely. It was noted that Winter Gardens originally commuted the affordable housing onto the Eden Glen site.  The Board also commented that is should be assured that homes would not be used as holiday lets.

·     Timeframe – The Board enquired about the timeframe for a potential decision on anyone of the sites coming through Cabinet. This was not expected for sometime, although any decisions would be through full Council due to the anticipated costs involved for all of them. The Board reiterated that early engagement on the projects with ward Councillors was extremely important.

RESOLVED that members of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee noted the contents of the report and provided feedback to the Investment & Development directorate.

Voting: Nem. Con.