Tory threat to Boscombe regeneration

10.14.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 17th Apr 2007

Pier refurbishment is under way. But Tory plans threaten to scupper the work.

Regeneration of Boscombe's seafront is under threat from the Conservatives if they get back in power.The Tories say they want to 'review' the scheme, delaying it for even longer, and costing council tax payers money.

The Tory proposal is causing confusion as they were the party in charge of the Council when the plans and sale of Honeycombe Chine car park to Barratt's were agreed.

Councillor Ben Prescott says: 'The plans for the pier, the pier entrance building, the promenade, and Europe's first artificial surf reef are a costed, deliverable plan, paid for by the Barratt Homes deal. The work is scheduled around the holiday season, and has already been delayed a year.

'This is the kind of dilly-dallying from the Conservatives that has cost Boscombe and Bournemouth in general millions of pounds of investment through the years.

'Boscombe needs regeneration to improve the area for all - residents and visitors alike. The Conservative proposal will undermine Boscombe's future. Property prices will drop again and businesses are far less likely to consider moving into Boscombe.'