However, things could be looking up for Boscombe – and you can have your say.

A Boscombe Strategic Towns Fund Board made up of community, business and political representatives is leading the way on proposals for a ‘Town Deal’ with the Government which could see the area secure up to £25million for major regeneration.

Improving connectivity in digital and transport infrastructure, creating new social and cultural places that bring people together, as well as boosting jobs and providing much needed homes will all feature as part of the plans for the area.

Last year the Government invited 101 places – including Bournemouth – to bring forward proposals for a ‘Town Deal’ as part of the £3.6 billion Towns Fund programme.

Part of the bid process requires each town to set up a strategic board to produce an investment plan detailing its ambitions and areas for where the funding would be welcomed.

The newly established Boscombe Strategic Towns Fund Board will lead on developing an investment plan for the area with a specific focus on economic and town centre regeneration.

Chairman of AFC Bournemouth, Jeff Mostyn has been appointed chairman of the new Boscombe Strategic Towns Fund Board.  He has considerable experience and a track record of public facing leadership. 

Jeff said, “Boscombe was once the home of AFC Bournemouth and remains at the heart of the club.  The town already has a significant foundation of community led regeneration, and I’m looking forward to ensuring this new Town Deal helps to build on this and be the catalyst for further growth to the benefit of the whole community.”

A masterplan for Boscombe including parts of Pokesdown, East Cliff and Springbourne will all form part of the Town Deal investment plan due to be submitted to Government in October 2020.

Community engagement will be at the centre of the proposals with major consultation on a Master Plan due to start in the coming months.

Councillor Lewis Allison, vice chairman of the Boscombe Strategic Towns Fund Board, and Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure and Communities, BCP Council, said, “This is a unique opportunity for Boscombe to get a slice of significant external investment for major regeneration and will be a real game changer for the area. 

“Our Boscombe Strategic Towns Fund Board brings together people with a huge amount of experience and expertise in order to create a successful proposal to Government. The amount of money Boscombe receives will be determined by the strength of the Investment Plan we put forward and it’s important the community is at the centre of those plans. 

“This is about us all working together to create opportunities, jobs and homes for people in and around Boscombe.

“We are keen for residents’ voices to be heard and look forward to working with the local community on their ideas for making a significant and positive impact on Boscombe.”

The proposals will build on the work of the Boscombe and Pokesdown Neighbourhood Plan, adopted in November 2019 and the work of the Boscombe Regeneration Partnership as well as other partnership initiatives planned and being delivered.

A key part of the project will be community engagement and the Board is keen to receive suggestions from all residents.  You can share your views now on how the funding could be spent by visiting the Government‘s MyTown portal at https://mytown.communities.gov.uk/town/bournemouth/ 

For further information on the Boscombe Strategic Towns Fund please visit www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/townsfund

A major consultation on what people would like to see in Boscombe will launch in June.