Agenda item

Bournemouth Development Company (BDC) is a joint venture between Muse and BCP Council, established to unlock housing supply and attract private sector investment into the conurbation. Regeneration of Bournemouth Town Centre is a key priority to revitalise the retail and housing offer for residents and reimagine underutilised sites. The Winter Gardens site has been identified, for many years, as a priority regeneration project to deliver corporate strategic objectives.

This report seeks approval for the new BDC Partnership Business Plan which is required to set out the agreed priorities and confirm how sites will be taken forward through the Bournemouth Development Company. This will confirm the extension to the Site Option Execution Date for Winter Gardens to September 2028, which was approved in principle by Cabinet in March, subject to the production of a new Partnership Business Plan.

The paper sets out the next steps for the Winter Gardens project to deliver circa 500 homes through the redevelopment of the existing surface car park and acquired land.

The Leader of the Council 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 Bournemouth Development Company (BDC) was a joint venture between Muse and BCP Council, established to unlock housing supply and attract private sector investment into the conurbation. It was explained that regeneration of Bournemouth Town Centre was a key priority to revitalise the retail and housing offer for residents and reimagine underutilised sites. The Winter Gardens site has been identified, for many years, as a priority regeneration project to deliver corporate strategic objectives,

This report seeks approval for the new BDC Partnership Business Plan which is required to set out the agreed priorities and confirm how sites will be taken forward through the Bournemouth Development Company. This will confirm the extension to the Site Option Execution Date for Winter Gardens to September 2028, which was approved in principle by Cabinet in March, subject to the production of a new Partnership Business Plan.

The paper sets out the next steps for the Winter Gardens project to deliver circa 500 homes through the redevelopment of the existing surface car park and acquired land. In the discussion of this item a number of issues were raised including:

·      Financial Risk and Implications – It was clarified that no immediate financial outlay would be required from the Council as a result of the proposed extension. However, it was acknowledged that if the revised scheme were not to proceed, historical costs incurred by the BDC could become crystallised as liabilities, thereby reducing the Council’s share of any future profits from the partnership. The importance of monitoring this risk was emphasised.

·      Governance and Oversight of BDC – Concerns were raised by Members regarding the level of transparency and Member engagement in the governance of BDC. It was noted that the BDC operates as a long-standing joint venture between the Council and Muse Developments, with oversight provided through a formal board structure. The need for improved Member understanding of the partnership’s operations and decision-making processes was highlighted.

·      Strategic Importance of the Winter Gardens Site – The site was described as a key opportunity for housing-led regeneration in Bournemouth town centre. It was stated that the revised development approach would prioritise the delivery of affordable and accessible housing. The removal of a previously proposed public car park from the scheme was said to have improved the financial viability of the project.

·      Homes England Funding – It was confirmed that discussions with Homes England were ongoing, and that a new funding programme was expected to be announced in the near future. The timing of the revised SDP was said to be aligned with this opportunity, with the aim of securing external funding to support the delivery of the scheme.

·      Call for a Broader Regeneration Vision – Several Members, including ward councillors, expressed the view that a more comprehensive regeneration strategy for Bournemouth town centre should be developed. It was suggested that this vision should extend beyond individual development sites and include a cohesive plan for economic, cultural, and community revitalisation.

·      Member Education and Engagement – It was proposed that a dedicated Member briefing session be arranged to improve understanding of regeneration processes and the role of BDC. This was seen as a means of enhancing Member engagement and ensuring informed scrutiny of future proposals.

During the item both BCP Council members present who were on the BDC Board addressed the Committee and provided information on the operation of the BDC and with regards to the specific Winter Gardens development. Issues were raised concerning member involvement accountability and transparency of the Governance Structure.

RESOLVED that:

1.   The Overview and Scrutiny Board supported the following recommendations to Cabinet:

(a)  Cabinet approves the BDC Partnership Business Plan for 2025 – 2030.

(b)  Cabinet confirms the extension of the Site Option Execution Date to September 2028, allowing Muse as the Private Sector Partner in the BDC to fund the first stage of work on the new Winter Gardens scheme, resulting in a new Site Development Plan. 

(c)  Cabinet approves proceeding on the understanding that public parking will not be included in a new scheme design.

2.   The Overview and Scrutiny Board would welcome the development of the Town Centre Vision for Bournemouth and requested to scrutinise the regeneration visions for the 3 Towns in the BCP Area as these are redeveloped.

3.   The Overview and Scrutiny Board requested that a briefing session on the BDC and regeneration be added to the Board’s Work Plan

Voting: Unanimous

The meeting adjourned from 8:35pm and resumed at 8:40pm

Cllr J Beesley and Cllr L Northover left the meeting following this item.