Kit Malthouse MP, Minister of State for Housing, visited Poole on 24th January, to see first hand Borough of Poole’s ambitious plans for regeneration and some of the new homes being built for local people.
The Minister toured Poole’s regeneration area, which includes the single largest regeneration site in the South West comprising 26 hectares of brownfield land in the heart of Poole. Borough of Poole has already invested over £30million in delivering the Twin Sails Bridge, which has opened up this site for the development of new homes, shops, businesses and community facilities.
During the visit the Minister took the opportunity to see:

* the town centre regeneration area and the exciting plans for a new leisure centre and swimming pool, improved public realm connecting Lighthouse Poole to the development, a new hotel, replacement bus station, commercial office space and more than 400 new homes. The Council’s £132 million vision will create a vibrant town centre for residents and visitors as well as boosting the town’s economy.

* Former power station site in Hamworthy. Landowner, JJ Gallagher Limited, has submitted an outline planning application to build 850 homes and up to 1,000 sqm retail, leisure and community space. They have also submitted a planning application for a new quayside and public realm on this site.

* Lewin Court and Hucklesby Court, a mixed housing scheme in Poole town centre consisting of 19 affordable housing and shared ownership properties. The development was completed last October and is fully occupied. The scheme has regenerated two brownfield sites in the town centre Conservation Area; the former Citizens Advice Bureau on Poole High Street, and an overgrown scrubland which was subject to fly-tipping. Borough of Poole released the land to Stonewater, a local housing association for affordable housing.

* Nile Court is an apartment block providing 46 affordable homes in Poole town centre overlooking Holes Bay. The development is due to be completed in May 2019. Borough of Poole released the land to Sovereign Housing Association, a local housing association, to provide affordable housing for local people to rent or buy through shared ownership.

Housing Minister Kit Malthouse said: “We have had a fantastic day; seeing such ambition and creativity from a Council that is taking its housing role seriously. We will do our best to support them in any way we can, so that together we can build the homes the next generation deserve.”

Councillor Janet Walton, Leader of the Council, Borough of Poole, said: “The visit was a great opportunity to show the Minister the progress being made towards regenerating Poole town centre and to deliver new homes in the borough.

“The Council is working closely with its partners to bring forward development and housing schemes at the earliest opportunity. Our strength and success of working in partnership can be demonstrated by the Government awarding Dorset LEP £79million to improve infrastructure around the Port of Poole as well as Bournemouth Airport.”
Andrew Flockhart, Chief Executive, Borough of Poole, commented: “It was great to meet Kit Malthouse MP and to show him some of the fantastic new homes being built in Poole offering a real choice for local families.
“Securing affordable housing remains one of the Council’s highest priorities and the regeneration area provides some of the best opportunities for us to meet Poole’s housing challenges.”
With homes across the south and south west, Sovereign is the largest housing association in Poole with over 1,100 homes. The housing association builds around 1,600 new and affordable homes each year.

Jayne Spencer, Sovereign’s Project Manager, said: “It was a pleasure to show the Housing Minister how the 46 new and affordable homes are taking shape at Nile Court on Holes Bay Road.

“These safe and quality new homes for local people have been made possible through real partnerships, with Sovereign working closely with Borough of Poole, Homes England and Drew Smith.”