Local schoolchildren have lots of ideas about what they would like to see on the 40-acre Holes Bay regeneration site, which could see the building of around 900 new homes.

Youngsters at Cornerstone Academy took part in workshops to explore the architecture, planning and urban design for the brownfield waterfront land at Hamworthy, Poole Harbour.

They were asked to consider how they would like to see their neighbourhood change for the better and were encouraged to draw up their ideas in an interactive workshop with FuturePlaces.

BCP Council, as landowner, has commissioned its urban regeneration company FuturePlaces to bring forward recommendations for a new waterfront quarter and urban village.

The design workshop was part of a whole day event discussing the design process at Holes Bay, setting out how different roles in the built environment interact and helping students to understand what the career opportunities are.

They were taken through the emerging urban design principles of the project and then, with the facilitation of architects Boyle & Summers and Shore, were encouraged to draw up their own ideas.

The event was timely as ground investigations to help better understand the site start this week.

Kristy Lidgard, humanities and travel and tourism teacher at Cornerstone Academy, who oversaw the workshops, said: “It was such a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience the process of architecture planning and urban design; the workshops really enabled the students to take a sense of ownership for their area and the future of the space which will benefit generations to come.

“It was exciting to see the students engaged, publicly speaking and learning new skills.”

James Croker, corporate engagement director, FuturePlaces, said: “The regeneration of Holes Bay is of relevance to all regardless of age or background. The workshops were about encouraging local schoolchildren to think about what facilities and green spaces they would like to see in their neighbourhood, sharing their ideas with family, friends and carers. Their suggestions will inform the consultation process.”

Cllr Steve Baron, lead member for Poole Rejuvenation, said: “It is crucial that youngsters are given the opportunity to help shape this important regeneration site. They may well be living and working on site in the decades to come and knowing that they, and their families, had a say in the look and feel of the design will make them feel more invested in its future.”

FuturePlaces will feed the ideas put forward by the student designers – along with other community representations – into the developing masterplan for the site.

The team said it looks forward to working with Cornerstone Academy to ensure that the school is at the heart of the developing proposition and to maintain a working dialogue with students, staff and parents alike to ensure that aspirations and needs of the community, and of all age groups, are taken into consideration in the development of plans for the area.