What the plan is about

Boscombe and Pokesdown Neighbourhood Plan is an exciting community approach to local planning policies and aims to help people play a direct role in improving the area in which we live and work. It tackles overcrowding, poor quality parks, rundown shops and deteriorating heritage assets.

The plan was adopted in 2019 following a public referendum. All planning applications submitted in the area now need to be determined in accordance with its policies.

Download the plan

Our Neighbourhood Plan has passed examination

The plan is already a material consideration in the determination of all planning applications in the area.

Please download the final plan here.

As you know, the plan contains 10 AMBITIOUS PLANNING POLICIES which you helped prepare.

Heritage

The area has an abundance of old buildings and parks, however many are unloved and are ‘at risk’. Policy BAP1 seeks to retain all old buildings to protect our heritage and sets specific densities to prevent overcrowding. Policy BAP2 proposes new locally listed buildings and seeks to reuse and recycle building materials. Policy BAP3 seeks to retain and renovate historic shopfronts. Policy BAP4 seeks to enhance all our open spaces and provide safer walking and cycling routes.

Housing

Policy BAP5 is planning for 110 more market homes per year (plus affordable homes) through the sympathetic conversion of historic properties and new builds, where 50% of the homes will need to have three or more bedrooms. Policy BAP6 introduces minimum room sizes for new homes and requires adequate space for bins, bikes, parking, etc. Policy BAP7 seeks to prevent any new houses in multiple occupancy (HMOs) being built to prevent overcrowding.

Work, Shops and Services

Policy BAP8 seeks to make Christchurch Road the centre of our community and the driving force of our local economy. We also want to celebrate its unique Victorian heritage. Our proposals include the redevelopment of the Sovereign Centre and the conversion of the upper floors of Christchurch Road to homes. In order to accommodate the business needs of the local community, Policy BAP9 seeks to provide new business floor space.

Site allocations

Policy BAP10 allocates a total of 18 sites for more than 475 dwellings. We have specific policies on our sites, namely Hawkwood Road Car Park, Royal Victoria Hospital, Gladstone Road West and the Sovereign Centre. Policy BAP11 contains a list of projects that would improve the area. We will be using this list to attract investment. It includes making grant applications and designating a new Conservation Area.

Our Constitutional Aims

Improve social, economic and environmental conditions in the area, particularly through the preparation and implementation of a Neighbourhood Plan.
Produce a Neighbourhood Plan to further the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of the area.
Improve the neighbourhood area as an attractive, enjoyable and safe place for residents, workers and visitors of all ages.
Encourage and promote civic pride, positive perceptions, goodwill, involvement and cohesion in our diverse community.
Celebrate and support the cultural diversity of the area and promote an inclusive community.
To protect, preserve and promote the history and heritage of the area.

To encourage and promote the area as a place of tourism, business, commerce and creativity.
To provide the necessary social infrastructure and community facilities for the area.
To promote a positive image of Boscombe.
To encourage more families into the area and provide a family friendly environment.
To promote the health and wellbeing of all residents of the area.
To promote environmental improvement and conservation by educating, encouraging and assisting the local population in environmental practice, working in partnership with similar groups and organisations.

Bournemouth Borough Council approved our application to designate Boscombe and Pokesdown Neighbourhood Plan Forum and Neighbourhood Area, enabling us to prepare a neighbourhood plan for our area in accordance with the Localism Act 2011. It is the first such designation in Bournemouth.

Map of the designated Neighbourhood Area
Boscombe and Pokesdown Neighbourhood Plan Forum’s constitution
Application for designation by the Forum to Bournemouth Borough Council
Cabinet member decision record

What is a Plan?

A neighbourhood development plan establishes general planning policies for the development and use of land in a neighbourhood, like:

where new homes and offices should be built
what they should look like

The plan can be detailed or general, depending what local people want.

Neighbourhood plans allow local people to get the right type of development for their community, but the plans must still meet the needs of the wider area. In most cases we expect this will mean that neighbourhood plans will have to take into account the local council’s assessment of housing and other development needs in the area.

Watch this video from MyCommunity to learn more