Boscombe seafront regeneration

Development at Boscombe seafront has been building up momentum since February 2002, when the Council (then run by the Conservatives) decided to sell part of the car park at Honeycombe Chine to Barratt Homes, for a flats development.

In 2004 these plans had to be rethought following the listing of the pier neck building.

The revised leisure scheme consists of:

• Converting the centre part of the Overstrand building to a restaurant with panoramic views.

• Refurbishing the first and second floor beach chalets in the Overstrand, to create 42 larger huts.

• Converting the ground floor of the Overstrand building for catering, retail, changing facilities and beachfront / lifeguard offices.

• A revitalised and reopened Boscombe Pier with refurbished entrance building offering catering and retail.

• A piazza and open-air events space as part of overall plans for better landscaping, lighting and street furniture.

• Refurbishing and reopening the toilet block to the west of the Pier.

• An artificial surf reef.

Surf reef

In addition Europe's first artificial surf reef will be constructed, to enhance the existing surf conditions in Boscombe.

This is a key element of the regeneration, because it extends the use of our beach, particularly to parts of the year when the weather doesn't attract families to Bournemouth's beaches.

The additional business at the sea front is a key aspect of attracting quality retail and catering to the refurbished buildings.

Boscombe Chine Gardens

The refurbishment of Boscombe Gardens is almost complete, due to finish during winter 2006/7. This was part funded by the National Lottery, and part funded (in advance) by proceeds from the sale of the car park to Barratt Homes.

The future's bright

The whole scheme should be finished by Summer 2008. Having talked about it for years, the schedule changed several times to accomodate being put off by a year because of planning delays, and following the untimely closure of Boscombe Pier.

• October 2006 Work Commences. Complete refurbishment of pier entrance building to be completed by the end of Spring 2007

• Barratt Homes take possession of the whole car park to commence construction of the flats. Part of the car park will reopen to the public for Easter 2007

• Winter 2006/7 East Overcliff Drive: overflow parking and signs installed. New land train garage to be built to the west of Boscombe pier.

• Landscaping between the pier entrance and Boscombe Gardens should be completed. New toilets at the entrance to the Undercliff Drive.

• Apr - Oct 2007 Unstable Pier-end demolished and T-section added

• Aug - Sep 2007 Surf reef constructed between the first and second groynes to the east of Boscombe Pier

• Winter 2007/8 Refurbishment of Overstrand Building (to the east of the pier) to include changing facilities, surf school, shops and restaurant with sea views

• Spring 2008 Final landscaping and planting

Latest news

Tue 17th Apr 2007:

Tory threat to Boscombe regeneration.

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.

Wed 11th Apr 2007:

Work starts on Boscombe surf reef.

Work has begun on Europe's first artificial surfing reef, near Boscombe pier. On Thursday, marine experts carried out a survey of the sea bed.

Wed 14th Jun 2006:

Boscombe seafront makeover set to start in October.

By this time next year, the pier entrance building will have been refurbished.

Mon 31st Oct 2005:

Rotten Boardwalk: Boscombe Pier Closed.

Boscombe Pier closed today, Monday 31st October, for health and safety reasons.

Tue 20th Sep 2005:

Boscombe seafront scheme approved.

Planners granted planning permission for the Boscombe seafront scheme last night (19 September 2005).

Sat 30th Jul 2005:

Planning delay costs Boscombe £1/2 Million.

The Seafront Leisure scheme will now cost more and start late, following Planning Board's deferral of a decision.

Earlier Stories

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